A stained, discolored smile may make you feel insecure when you talk to others or pose for pictures. Poor oral hygiene, color-rich foods, dark drinks, smoking, and other factors can contribute to dental staining, but professional teeth whitening can restore a sparkling smile. Who makes a good candidate for this procedure? Are there prerequisites or disqualifiers?
At Cosmetic Dentistry of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM, our team has practiced general and cosmetic dentistry since 1983. Our experienced and educated dental team keeps up with the most advanced treatment techniques and can help you determine if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening.
Who Can Benefit from Teeth Whitening?
While regular brushing and flossing can help you keep your smile bright and healthy, they alone will not return stained tooth enamel to its original brilliance. At your biannual dental cleanings, yellow tartar and some surface stains can be removed by a hygienist. Still, even a professional dental cleaning cannot erase all surface stains.
You may be a good candidate for whitening if you suffer from tooth stains caused by:
- Daily wear
- Inconsistent brushing and flossing
- Consuming dark-colored food and drinks
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
We offer Zoom! and Sinsational Smile whitening treatments. These two options work by removing surface stains and gently bleaching tooth enamel.
Who Won’t Benefit from Teeth Whitening?
While teeth whitening is an effective way of eliminating many types of dental stains, it is not recommended for patients with:
Poor Oral Health
You can’t treat the effects of dental disease with teeth whitening. Periodontal disease and cavities should be addressed prior to teeth whitening. We want to improve the appearance of your smile, but the first priority is always good dental health. If you need dental care prior to your teeth whitening procedure, we can provide the treatment you need at our office.
Deep Stains
Examples of deep stains underneath the tooth enamel include:
- Fluorosis: Overexposure to fluoride during childhood can cause white lines or streaks to appear on the teeth.
- Tetracycline: If a mother took an antibiotic known as tetracycline during pregnancy, her children might have permanent tooth stains. This type of discoloration is not on the enamel, but within it.
- Damaged nerve: If the nerve within your tooth has bled, the tooth can turn dark and stand out among other teeth. The internal bleeding cannot be removed with teeth whitening.
For intrinsic stains that do not respond to professional teeth whitening treatments, our dental team may suggest veneers or bonding.
Patients with Tight Budgets Are Also Good Candidates
Many patients who want whiter teeth try at-home teeth whitening kits because they are worried that they can’t afford professional teeth whitening treatments. However, store-bought teeth whitening kits are one-size-fits-all, so they are often ineffective, wasting time and money.
Meanwhile, professional teeth whitening treatments are tailored to your needs. Our team will carefully tailor your teeth whitening treatment to help you achieve a brighter smile without tooth sensitivity, side effects, or uneven whitening. Cosmetic Dentistry of New Mexico only uses proven products, and if you have any adverse reactions (which are rare), your dentist is here to help.
Many patients at our Albuquerque office are surprised to find that teeth whitening is highly affordable and appropriate for patients with tight budgets.
Contact Us to Talk about Teeth Whitening Candidacy
Find out if you’re a good candidate for teeth whitening by attending a consultation with cosmetic dentists. Call (505) 847-8466 or message Cosmetic Dentistry of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM, to find out which type of whitening will best serve your smile.