Accidental dental damage

Posted on: 17 April 2017

One of the most important things to do when you're thinking of having your teeth whitened is to set realistic expectations. Unfortunately, many candidates for teeth whitening assume that they can have their teeth looking perfectly white after just a few weeks. This may be possible, and you're certainly going to see some improvement, but expectations really need to be managed to avoid disappointment and the temptation to bleach your teeth longer or more regularly than is recommended.

Here are just four tips to follow to ensure your tooth whitening expectations remain realistic.

1. Don't Base Expectations Around Others

First and foremost, don't expect your results to mirror those enjoyed by other people. No two sets of teeth are the same; some people will have naturally bright teeth while others will not, and the tooth whitening procedure removes stains instead of changing the actual underlying colour. Additionally, everyone's teeth react differently to bleaching. Searching on the internet or looking at celebrity smiles often presents only the most dramatically white teeth possible – basing your expectations around such images, which may even be digitally enhanced, can set you up for disappointment.

2. Take Before and After Photos

Most people choose to have bleaching trays created at their dentist's office so they can carry out the bleaching themselves at home over a couple of weeks. This is very convenient, but it can be difficult to really notice the change in your teeth's appearance when you're seeing them every day. When treatment finishes, you might not notice as big of a difference as you expected, even if your teeth are significantly whiter. It helps to take a before shot so you can compare the changes and see just how much things have improved. You can do this at home, but it's also something you can ask your dentist to do.

3. Discuss Goals with Your Dentist

Before you start bleaching your teeth, it's a good idea to discuss your goals with your dentist. They will be able to tell you what to expect, and you might be given the option to choose a level of whiteness to work towards; most dentists recommend shooting for a shade of white the same as the whites of your eyes. Dentists will help you choose manageable whiteness goals and provide realistic timeframes in which to achieve them.

4. Don't Expect Permanent Changes

Finally, remember that your teeth will not be whitened permanently. Everyday eating and drinking, as well as certain habits, can cause stains to redevelop over time. You can curb that staining by avoiding certain foods and drinks and eliminating those habits, but it's important to remember that the results of bleaching your teeth are never going to last forever.

For more information and options for teeth whitening, contact a dental clinic in your area.