If you find yourself limiting your smile because of teeth stains, you can benefit from teeth whitening. The hydrogen peroxide in whitening treatments, whether over the counter or in office, dissolves the stains that affect tooth enamel. However, you might benefit from having your teeth cleaned first.
A pre-treatment cleaning will ensure that your teeth are in the best shape possible for a teeth-whitening treatment.
A Dental Cleaning Removes the Stains Between Teeth
Over time, stains can build up between teeth. This is especially true if you don't floss. And if you are whitening your teeth at home, using over-the-counter whitening trays, you might not be able to reach stains between your teeth. Even an in-office whitening treatment can benefit from a pre-treatment cleaning.
A Dental Cleaning Removes Lodged Food Particles
Food particles can also lodge in the spaces between your teeth. These particles can prevent the whitening bleach from reaching all areas of your teeth. And, once whitened, your teeth won't be uniformly white due to the buildup of food between your teeth. A dental hygienist can remove these particles for you before you have your teeth whitened.
A Dental Cleaning Removes Stubborn Stains
If you are a smoker or enjoy beverages and food that tend to cause staining, such as red wine or red pasta sauce, you probably have some stubborn staining on your teeth. Obviously, these stains are more difficult to whiten. This means that your results will be patchy. And the stubborn stains will stand out more once the rest of a tooth is whiter.
However, if you have a hygienist remove these stains first, your whitening will be uniform.
A Dental Cleaning Removes Tartar
Tartar is that hard, chalky substance that gathers around the necks of your teeth, especially around the molars and the lower incisors, where the saliva glands lie. Tartar is usually yellow or brown in colour. Unfortunately, you cannot whiten tartar. And it isn't a good idea to leave tartar on your teeth, anyway. Tartar attracts plaque formation, leads to tooth decay and causes gum disease.
If you whiten your teeth without removing the tartar first, the tartar will not blend in with your newly whitened teeth. In fact, it will become more noticeable. Have a hygienist scrape the tartar off your teeth before you whiten them to whiten the entire tooth structure.
Are you considering whitening your teeth? Then make sure that your teeth are clean and plaque-free before you do so.
To learn more about cosmetic dentistry, contact a dentist in your area.
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