There are many different reasons why teeth-whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments today. For example, it’s one of the least invasive of all procedures, involving little more than applying professional bleaching gel to the surfaces of your teeth. It’s also highly effective, allowing you to quickly and effectively erase noticeable teeth stains and restore your smile’s youthful appearance. However, many patients who visit our Lafayette, LA, dental office don’t fully realize the benefits that teeth-whitening can provide, or the importance of choosing professional treatment over one-size-fits-all products from the store.
Professional treatment vs. OTC products
One of the biggest misconceptions about teeth-whitening is that only over-the-counter (OTC) products are convenient. However, professional treatment is often designed to be just as convenient, with options that you can apply at home or during a single visit to your dentist’s office. The biggest difference is that professional teeth-whitening is significantly more effective, improving your chances of successfully brightening your smile with just one treatment. Its effectiveness means there are also no adverse effects to your healthy, natural tooth structure.
The actual effects on your tooth enamel
Another misconception about professional teeth-whitening is that the chemicals may cause damage to the enamel and structures of your teeth. With many OTC brands, the solution is diluted, and therefore, customers often apply it several times trying to achieve the results they desire. This overapplication places your teeth at risk; however, with professional teeth-whitening, your bleaching solution will be much more effective. It is also safer, and your dentist will examine your teeth to ensure that the treatment will work before recommending it.
The limitations of teeth-whitening
Because teeth-whitening is so popular and highly effective, some patients may believe that it is the automatic cure-all for any discoloration that appears on their teeth. Yet, that isn’t always the case, and to ensure your successful smile improvement, your dentist may recommend a more appropriate treatment option based on the source of your teeth stains. For instance, if a cavity or internal damage causes a tooth to change color, then it will require restorative treatment to address the issue, rather than cosmetic whitening.
Benefit from professional teeth-whitening
Teeth-whitening is popular enough that most people recognize the term, but not everyone fully understands how the treatment can benefit their smiles. Even if your teeth stains seem stubborn, the professional cosmetic treatment may still be the most beneficial option for improving your smile. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling the office of Michael J. Young, DDS, in Lafayette, LA, at 337-237-6453. We proudly serve patients who live in Breaux Bridge, Broussard, Scott, Youngsville, and all surrounding communities.
