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The way your smile looks can have a huge affect on your overall confidence. While we all want a naturally pearly-white smile, it’s normal for the color of your teeth to change over time. Luckily, professional teeth whitening services can help you get the shade you’re looking for and boost your confidence.

Mill Dam Dental Care offers professional teeth whitening services in the Virginia Beach area. In this article, we’ll talk about whether teeth whitening is right for you, as well as what to expect and how to maintain a pearly white smile.

Is Teeth Whitening Right For Me?

If you’re looking to get a brighter smile, teeth whitening services are almost always going to be a great option. They’re safe, effective, and comfortable for most patients, and can remove stains from coffee, wine, tobacco, and many other foods. If you’ve been struggling with confidence because of the shade of your teeth, talk to your dentist about your teeth whitening options.

There are a few situations in which teeth whitening may not be the best option for you. For example, teeth whitening can make your mouth more sensitive, so it may not be the best choice if you have underlying conditions. Tooth whitening treatments also may not work on existing crowns, fillings, or bonding, which can cause a mismatch in coloration. Luckily, there are many other treatments available that can help you get the smile you need if you are in this situation. Your dentist can help you figure out a treatment plan that makes the most sense given your current oral health.

What To Expect From Teeth Whitening

At Mill Dam Dental, we use Sheer White teeth whitening strips. These professional grade whitening strips have many advantages over the whitening strips you’ll find at the drugstore.

When you visit the dentist, we will instruct you on how to use this five-day whitening treatment. If you’ve used a whitening treatment before, this is going to be slightly different, as you’ll need to wear the strips for a much longer period of time. These strips are designed to stay on for approximately two hours, although the solution stays active for much longer than that. After the five day treatment course is over, you may have another appointment with your dentist to look at the results and prescribe further treatment if needed.

It’s important to follow your dentist’s instructions carefully when using these strips. While they are very safe, they can cause tooth and gum sensitivity as side effects. Following the instructions correctly can help minimize the chances of developing this problem.

Professional vs. OTC Teeth Whitening Treatments

There are many over-the-counter whitening treatments available these days, and you may be wondering what the advantage is of using a professional treatment. The biggest advantage here is the efficacy of the treatments. The ingredients in Sheer White stay active for much longer than the ingredients in your average whitestrips or over-the-counter whitening pen. This means your teeth get more exposure to the whitening ingredients, and you’re much more likely to get noticeable results.

Another advantage of using these professional treatments is the way the strips fit your teeth. They are designed to be very comfortable and stay on your teeth for approximately two hours. OTC whitening strips can be uncomfortable and distracting, but these strips mold to the contours of your teeth for better results. They also don’t have any unpleasant excess gel, which is another common problem with over-the-counter whitestrips.

Since these strips are so thin and moldable, they are not noticeable to other people when you are wearing them. This means you can wear them at work or school if necessary, making it much more convenient to whiten. You can also wear them while you are sleeping because of their comfortable design.

Is Professional Teeth Whitening Expensive?

Many people think that getting their teeth professionally whitened is prohibitively expensive, but this is not necessarily the case. We’re here to debunk the teeth whitening myths like these. The whitestrips that we use are priced similarly to treatments that you might get over the counter, but provide much stronger results. This means you won’t have to touch up your teeth nearly as often, which can save you money in the long run.

The cost of your dental visits can vary depending on the insurance you have and the cost of any other treatments you may need done. At Mill Dam Dental, we work with a variety of different dental insurance carriers. Feel free to ask us about payment options as well – our team is here to help. We offer affordable solutions to help you get the smile you’ve always wanted.

white smile

Is Teeth Whitening Safe For Kids and Teens?

You might be surprised to learn that teeth whitening is safe for some kids and teens. People at this young age tend to already have fairly white teeth, but eating certain foods can still lead to discoloration. Once kids have their permanent teeth fully in and calcified, and they’ve completed any necessary orthodontic treatments, they may be a candidate for teeth whitening.

Teeth whitening is generally only necessary or preferable for kids or teens with extreme discoloration. If your child does need to whiten their teeth for any reason, it is always best to do so with the guidance of a dentist. As with adults, whitening strips can cause some sensitivity among kids and teens.

Children and teens are also going to need supervision during their whitening treatment to make sure they are using the strips correctly. They should be reminded when to put them on and take them off, and they should also be monitored to make sure they don’t swallow them.

It’s rare that your child will need a whitening treatment before they reach adulthood. In order to prevent discoloration, it’s important to start taking your child to the dentist regularly at a young age. Encouraging healthy brushing and flossing habits and avoiding sugary foods and drinks can also help to prevent tooth discoloration in kids. If you are starting to notice discoloration on your child’s teeth, a kid-friendly whitening toothpaste is a good first step before starting a teeth whitening treatment.

How To Maintain Your Smile After A Whitening Treatment

After completing a professional whitening treatment, it’s very important to practice good oral hygiene to maintain your smile. Here are some tips to help you keep your smile looking bright after a treatment.

Avoid smoking.

Smoking and using other tobacco products is one of the most common causes of stained teeth. Avoiding these things will help keep your smile white for longer. If smoking is a part of your daily routine, talk to your doctor about ways to quit or cut back.

Be mindful of what you eat and drink.

The foods and drinks that you consume can have a huge effect on your teeth. It’s important to be mindful of what you’re eating after a whitening treatment to minimize stains. Wine, coffee, and tea are some of the most common causes of stains, and some sodas are major causes of staining as well. Keeping these drinks to a minimum (or using a straw when available) can help reduce staining.

Rinse your mouth after eating and drinking.

No matter what you’re eating, rinsing your mouth after eating and drinking can help prevent bacteria from remaining in your mouth and causing discoloration. This is an easy habit to start and can make a huge difference in the life of your whitening treatment. An even better option is to brush your teeth after every meal and drink, but this isn’t always realistic. Keeping a travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste with you on the go may help this happen more often.

Use a whitening toothpaste and mouthwash.

Another easy way to keep your teeth white after completing treatment is to use a whitening toothpaste and mouthwash. While these aren’t as strong as the whitestrips, they do have gentle whitening agents that can help prevent stains and keep your teeth looking fresh and bright. If you’ve been looking for a brighter smile, a professional whitening treatment could be a great option for you. Having a white smile can help you feel more comfortable and confident in your appearance. Some people even find it helps them feel more outgoing in social situations. If you’re interested in teeth whitening in Virginia Beach, be sure to contact our team at Mill Dam Dental Care to learn more.

If you’ve been looking for a brighter smile, a professional whitening treatment could be a great option for you. Having a white smile can help you feel more comfortable and confident in your appearance. Some people even find it helps them feel more outgoing in social situations. If you’re interested in teeth whitening in Virginia Beach, be sure to contact our team at Mill Dam Dental Care to learn more.