Is there a benefit from teeth whitening beyond the esthetic improvements? Patients of Al Berger, DDS near Bayport, NY can learn if they can benefit from this treatment and if they can get more than just a dazzlingly white grin.
As your dentist near Bayport, Dr. Berger offers a long list of cosmetic dentistry solutions, including tooth whitening. However, not all of our patients can benefit from teeth whitening…at least, not immediately. This is because we are always going to focus first on your overall oral health, rather than the appearance of the smile.
If you are to benefit from teeth whitening, it has to begin by ensuring your teeth and gums are as healthy as possible. To begin with, you should be sure to have at least one annual cleaning and exam (two is better). Once you have undergone an exam, Dr. Berger can help you address any issues such as decay, gum disease, the need for fillings, restorations and so on.
When these steps have been taken, we can then determine if you will benefit from teeth whitening. We start by looking at the teeth to see if there is discoloration. If so, we ask you if this may be due to your lifestyle habits. For instance, people who smoke, drink staining beverages (like tea, coffee, red wine, and cola) or who take certain medications may not benefit from the use of whitening treatments unless they alter their habits.
We might also determine that your teeth are discolored due to age, and that means we can use the treatments to brighten the teeth by several shades in one sitting. However, if you have deeply set stains, Dr. Berger may recommend the use of porcelain veneers or dental crowns to help overcome the issue.
Benefits Beyond Esthetics
If you can benefit from the treatment, we also want you to know that the benefits extend beyond esthetics. It is a sad truth that many people actually hide their smile because it is discolored or yellowed. They might keep their lips together, or even slowly cease smiling at all out of habit. This has negative effects on self-esteem and quality of life. This is why one of the biggest benefits from teeth whitening (apart from oral health) is the ability to smile freely and whenever the mood strikes!
Contact Our Dentist Near Bayport For Teeth Whitening
If you have additional questions about whether you can benefit from teeth whitening, or about any of the other treatments mentioned here, give us a call at our office near Bayport, NY at 631-589-2600. You can also use our online contact form and one of our staff will get back to you promptly.