One of the first things that we notice about each other is our smiles. A beautiful smile can give you more confidence in your appearance and your interactions with people. Cosmetic dentistry can improve your smile in just about any way you can imagine from braces that give you straighter teeth to dental bridges and implants that can replace missing teeth. However, improving the appearance of your smile doesn’t always have to include such drastic measures. For many people, whiter teeth can achieve this outcome and highlight the beauty of your smile. At Andrew S. Curry, DDS in Texarkana, our dentist, and experienced dental professionals help people achieve just that with Zoom teeth whitening services.

What Is Professional Teeth Whitening?

Many of us are already familiar with at-home whitening kits so you may be wondering, how is a professional teeth whitening service different? When a dentist performs professional teeth whitening, such as Zoom whitening, they are using a professional product and strong lights that are stronger than over-the-counter products. This makes for a more effective whitening treatment than you can achieve at home. Because Zoom whitening uses light to speed up the whitening process, teeth whitening at the dentist’s office also produces faster results. Most importantly, a dentist will be able to tell you if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening or not, which is not something you can easily evaluate at home. 

What Makes You A Candidate For Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening can be a quick and effective way to improve the appearance of a smile that has been discolored by food, drink, or lifestyle habits. Heavy coffee and tea drinkers can experience yellow or brown staining on the teeth that can be improved with a teeth whitening procedure. Smokers can also experience varying degrees of staining and discoloration and can benefit from having their teeth whitened by a professional, as well. However, if you are whitening your teeth for these reasons, your results will only be long-lasting if you alter your habits as well. Those who experience staining, yet have overall healthy teeth and gums are good candidates for teeth whitening. 

Why You Might Not Be A Candidate For Teeth Whitening

The dentist might recommend that you not get your teeth whitened if you experience any of the following:

• Chronic sensitivity
• Gum disease
• Oral cancer
• Excessive enamel damage

While teeth whitening can help to improve the appearance of your smile, it shouldn’t be used if it could harm your oral health. Candidates should have healthy gums and no untreated cavities before considering teeth whitening. It is also important to note for those who have veneers, bridges, or dental implants, that you cannot whiten your dental restorations. 

Schedule An Appointment Today

If you are unsure if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening, it is best to consult with a trusted dentist. Andrew S. Curry, DDS, performs top-rated Zoom teeth whitening and other cosmetic dentistry for the Texarkana community. Schedule an appointment today, to discuss your teeth whitening options for a more beautiful smile.