Think You Want Teeth Whitening? 4 Benefits to Know About

Teeth whitening can help you feel good about yourself and your smile! If you’ve never had your teeth whitened before, there are many benefits to consider as you’re trying to decide whether teeth whitening is for you. Your dentist in Grand Junction CO can answer your questions about teeth whitening. Below, we’ve listed four benefits of teeth whitening to consider.

1. Fast and Efficient

Professional teeth whitening is fast and efficient. With one appointment at the dentist’s office, you’ll see positive results.Many teeth whitening appointments are an hour long. When the appointment is over, your teeth may be several shades lighter.

2. Effective

If you’ve struggled to make your teeth whiter and brighter, teeth whitening works. Teeth whitening works best if the stains on your teeth come from foods and beverages. If your teeth are stained from tobacco use, talk to your dentist about the best way to whiten your teeth.

3. Boost Your Confidence

Teeth whitening enhances your smile to help boost your confidence when interacting with others. If you suffer from low confidence due to the appearance of your smile, teeth whitening can help.

4. Long-Lasting

Teeth whitening is long-lasting. For many patients, teeth whitening lasts for a year or longer. You can make teeth whitening last longer by taking good care of your oral hygiene and by staying hydrated. Swishing with water helps wash food particles and drinks off your tooth enamel.

It’s important to feel good about your smile. Are you interested in teeth whitening in Grand Junction CO? Call your dentist at Western Slope Dental Center today to make an appointment.

Can I Get My Teeth Whitened if I Have Gum Disease?

If you have gum disease, chances are your teeth may not look great, either. They may be yellowed or stained, and you may be thinking that you should consider teeth whitening in Grand Junction, CO. But while you’re worried about how your teeth look, your dentist has more serious concerns, particularly gum disease. So the question is, can you get your teeth professionally whitened if you have gum disease?

It’s Not Recommended

The prevailing belief among professional dentists is that you shouldn’t get teeth whitened if you have active gum disease. Although you may want immediate and short-term results with teeth whitening that can make you feel better about how your teeth look, the underlying condition of gum disease needs to be addressed first.

Why Teeth Whitening Isn’t Recommended With Gum Disease

Professional teeth whitening involves the use of chemicals, including hydrogen peroxide. The chemical interaction is what removes the discoloration from teeth and produces shades of lightening results. But those same chemicals can also affect the gums. And, with gum disease, the gums are already sensitive, vulnerable, and inflamed. The teeth whitening formulation’s chemicals will only irritate the gums and potentially make them much more painful. The process may even worsen the condition of the gums, making it harder to heal the gum disease. Finally, teeth whitening results will be compromised because of the condition of the teeth and gums. So, you won’t get that nice, uniform whitening that you may expect.

You and your dentist can prioritize treating the gum disease, bringing you closer to having that beautiful, white smile you long for. Contact your dentist in Grand Junction, CO, today to book a thorough dental exam appointment.