Thinking about whitening your teeth for a whiter, more beautiful smile?

If so, there are a few things you should know before you jump into the process. While many people think of teeth whitening as a simple cosmetic procedure, like cutting their hair or getting their nails done, it’s not quite that simple. The more you know about teeth whitening, the better you’ll be prepared for the process. That’s why we’ve come up with this list of what you need to know before whitening your teeth:

#1. Teeth whitening doesn’t affect everyone the same way.

We all have different mouths and different oral health issues, and those differences can affect the way that teeth whitening works for you. Just because your friend or sibling got their teeth whitened, it doesn’t mean it’s necessarily right for you. For some people, whitening can cause gum irritation, as well as temporary pain and sensitivity in the teeth.

#2. Not all teeth whitening products are made equal.

There are many teeth whitening products out there, and they can come in a variety of strengths. The biggest difference in strength can be found when you compare DIY teeth whitening products with professional ones. Since DIY products aren’t monitored by a dentist and no examination was done to ensure that they are safe to use on your teeth, they are much weaker than the whitening products available through your dentist.

#3. You may not be a good candidate for teeth whitening.

As we mentioned earlier, many people equate teeth whitening with getting a haircut and other minor cosmetic services. One of the biggest problems with this comparison is that, while anyone can get a haircut, teeth whitening isn’t right for everyone. People who aren’t good candidates for teeth whitening include pregnant women, adolescents who do not have their permanent teeth yet, people with sensitive teeth and people with gum disease.

#4. Teeth whitening is not a permanent solution.

If you do decide to get your teeth whitened, don’t expect the results to last forever, even if you get professional teeth whitening. In general, teeth whitening can last for up to three years, but if you don’t keep up with your oral hygiene properly in the meantime, your treatment probably won’t last that long.

#5. There’s no way to tell how sensitive your teeth will be to whitening.

Even if you’ve done your homework and you completely understand the ins and outs of whitening your teeth before you actually get it done, it’s important to know that there’s no way for you to know how sensitive you’ll be to the treatment until you actually get it. This is one of the many reasons why you should go to your dentist for professional whitening instead of doing it yourself. Your dentist will be able to monitor your sensitivity and make adjustments to your treatment as needed.

The bottom line is that teeth whitening is not a haircut, and it’s important to know a thing or two about it before you decide to get it done. Is Zoom Whitening in Texarkana right for you? Schedule your appointment with our dentist today to find out.