(708) 383-0330

If you want to professionally lighten your smile, then you may be considering teeth whitening treatments with a dentist in Oak Park, IL. But, before you get this easy and effective cosmetic dentistry treatment, there are a few things you should do to prepare.

At Town & Country Dental, we can help you prepare for cosmetic procedures with comprehensive, long-lasting solutions. If you’re ready to explore your options, then contact our Oak Park, IL, dental office at (708) 383-0330 or online here.

Meanwhile, let’s discuss a few ways that you can prepare for teeth whitening sessions. Even minimal preparation can make a major difference in your results! 

Schedule a Dental Check-up

A dental check-up will help you determine if whitening treatments are right (and safe!) for you. 

Some patients may need to address oral health issues (like cavities and gum disease) before pursuing whitening treatments. 

Other patients, however, may not be ideal candidates for other reasons. One reason why professional teeth whitening may not be right for you is if you have internal dental stains.

Intrinsic stains are immune to whitening treatments, no matter how strong the bleaching agent is. Other solutions (like dental bonding) may be a better way to hide discoloration and improve your smile.

So, to avoid frustration, discomfort, or complications, it’s best to start your teeth-whitening journey with a routine check-up

Get a Dental Cleaning

For optimal results, patients should have relatively clean teeth before getting whitening treatments. Otherwise, plaque may prevent the bleaching solution from penetrating the tooth and lifting stains.

A dental cleaning removes built-up plaque, giving your dentist a blank canvas from which to work. And, with plaque out of the way, your results will be more uniform, brilliant, and long-lasting!

Resist the Urge to Whiten at Home

Patients often want to establish a lighter foundation at home before pursuing professional teeth whitening. But, this may be unwise.

At-home bleaching products may increase tooth sensitivity before an upcoming professional whitening session. As a result, combining professional teeth whitening with at-home whitening products may lead to significant discomfort and irritation

Furthermore, the ingredients in store-bought whiteners may not be the same ingredients in professional whiteners. Mixing bleaching agents may be dangerous, which is the primary reason why you should avoid whitening at home. 

Address Tooth Sensitivity

Whether at-home or in-office, teeth whitening can temporarily worsen or lead to tooth sensitivity. Ordinarily, tooth sensitivity is due to thinning tooth enamel, which exposes the nerves in our teeth.

Tooth enamel is roughly 96% mineral content, making it largely inorganic. This means that our bodies are incapable of repairing or regenerating tooth enamel once it is lost.

Luckily, there are a few things that you can do to address tooth sensitivity before whitening treatments. We recommend using a desensitizing and/or remineralizing toothpaste to strengthen weak enamel before whitening sessions.

Get Ready for Teeth Whitening in Oak Park, IL

If you’re ready to brighten your smile, then contact Town & Country Dental to see how we can help you prepare. All patients can conveniently reach us online here, or they may call our Oak Park dental office at (708) 383-0330 for scheduling and information.