Top 10 Reasons to Visit a Dentist Before Whitening

If you are thinking about whitening your teeth, the best first step is a visit to your dentist. An exam can find the cavities, gum problems and cracks that make whitening uncomfortable, show which of your stains will respond, and point out dental work that won’t change color. At the Timonium office of Dr. Steven W. Haywood, DDS, every whitening plan starts with that conversation, and the whitening itself is done in the office as laser power whitening.

Here are the top 10 reasons to see a dentist before you whiten, what happens at a whitening consultation, and how to get back on track if it has been a while. For general reasons to keep up with checkups, read top 10 reasons to visit a dentist today.

Top 10 reasons to visit a dentist today, before you whiten

1. Find cavities before whitening finds them for you

Whitening agents on a tooth with an untreated cavity can be uncomfortable. Digital X-rays and DIAGNOdent, a laser that can detect small amounts of decay at an early stage, help find cavities while they are still small, so they can be treated first with tooth-colored composite.

2. Check your gums

Sore, swollen or bleeding gums and receding gums are worth attention before any cosmetic treatment. Gum problems can make whitening less comfortable, and gum disease treatment at the practice is non-surgical, with a plan personalized to you. See gum disease treatment.

3. Get a professional cleaning

Plaque and tartar sit between the whitening agent and your enamel, and tartar picks up stains easily. A professional cleaning every six months is recommended, and cleaning appointments here last a full 60 minutes. A cleaning alone often makes teeth look brighter.

4. Find out what kind of stains you have

Surface stains from coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco usually respond well to whitening. Discoloration from inside the tooth may not. Knowing which you have tells you whether whitening is the right tool. Read whitening vs bleaching for tooth discoloration.

5. Have a single dark tooth examined

One tooth that is darker than its neighbors should be examined before anything cosmetic, because the cause may be inside the tooth. Whitening won’t address that cause, and another treatment may be a better fit.

6. Map out dental work that won’t whiten

Crowns, veneers, bonding and tooth-colored fillings keep their color when natural teeth lighten. If any are on the teeth that show when you smile, it helps to plan whether they will need replacing afterward so everything matches. See teeth whitening in Timonium with crowns, veneers or bonding.

7. Spot the causes of sensitivity

Some sensitivity to cold air and fluids after whitening is common and fades within 24 to 36 hours. Worn enamel, cracks and exposed roots can make it worse. An intraoral camera lets the team zoom in on each section of your mouth and show you what they find. Read tooth whitening sensitivity and your dentist.

8. Get your yearly oral cancer screening

While you are in the chair, an oral cancer screening can be part of your visit. The practice recommends that all patients over eighteen be screened every year, and ViziLite helps make abnormal cells easier to see. It is quick and pain-free. See oral cancer screening.

9. Plan whitening around other cosmetic work

If you are also considering bonding, veneers or a crown, the order matters. Whitening first lets new work be matched to your brighter shade. Cosmetic imaging, part of every cosmetic evaluation, shows a before-and-after preview on the imaging computer so you can plan the changes together. See cosmetic imaging.

10. Get a plan and honest expectations

Store products come with the same instructions for everyone. At the practice, your whitening plan is customized to your teeth, and if your teeth are very dark, Dr. Haywood will counsel you on your options before you start. You leave knowing what is realistic, which is worth a lot more than a guess.

What happens at a whitening consultation

A whitening consultation is relaxed and focused on your goals. Dr. Haywood looks at your current shade and the kind of staining you have, checks for dental work on your front teeth, and talks through whether you want a subtle lift or a noticeably brighter smile. If anything needs treatment first, you’ll hear why.

When you are ready to whiten, treatment is laser power whitening: a thirty-minute in-office whitening treatment followed by a laser applied for 1 to 2 hours. The laser activates the hydrogen peroxide in the whitening agent, significantly increasing how quickly and effectively it works. Learn more about laser whitening, or read what to expect from teeth whitening in Timonium.

Why not just start with a store kit?

Store whitening strips, gels and trays are easy to buy, but nobody checks your teeth before you use them. The commercial whiteners that seem so promising often fail to deliver lasting results, and at-home whitening usually means committing two or three weeks. If a kit makes your teeth hurt, you still end up at the dentist, just later and less comfortable. Read professional teeth whitening vs store kits.

If it has been a while since your last visit

Wanting whiter teeth is a perfectly good reason to come back to the dentist, even if it has been years. The team won’t judge you for the time away. New patients are always welcome, and you can save time by completing your forms online before your first visit. If you feel nervous, laughing gas is offered as a complimentary service, and the spa-like office offers paraffin wax hand treatments and aromatherapy. Read been a while since you’ve visited a dentist?

Paying for your visit and whitening

The practice is out of network with all dental insurance providers: you pay at the time of your visit, and the office files the claim so your plan can reimburse you for whatever it covers. Exams and cleanings are part of regular care, while many plans treat whitening as cosmetic, so check your benefits. HSA and flex plans are welcome for eligible care, and financing is available through CareCredit, with no-interest options up to 12 months, and Cherry, with plans from 3 to 24 months. See financing options.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a checkup before teeth whitening?

It is the best way to start. An exam finds cavities, gum problems and cracks that can make whitening uncomfortable, and every whitening plan at the practice begins with a consultation about your teeth.

Should I get my teeth cleaned before whitening?

A cleaning removes the plaque and tartar that sit between the whitening agent and your enamel, and it often brightens teeth on its own. Ask the team how to schedule your cleaning and whitening.

How often should I visit the dentist?

A professional cleaning and checkup every six months is recommended, with an oral cancer screening every year for patients over eighteen.

Are you accepting new patients?

Yes. New patients are always welcome at the Timonium office, including patients from Towson, Lutherville, Cockeysville, Hunt Valley and Baltimore.

Start with a visit in Timonium

Thinking about whiter teeth? Request an appointment or call (410) 453-9399 to schedule an exam and whitening consultation. The office is at 108 W Timonium Rd, Ste 200, Timonium, MD 21093. You can also read more about teeth whitening.