When our patients come into our office at Bridge Creek Dental, we like to make sure that they are completely happy with their smile, so we often ask “What can we do to achieve your perfect smile?” The answer that we get back most often is “I’d like to have whiter teeth.” While you may think that this involves vast amounts of time and money, you’ll be happy to know that this request can easily be achieved.
You can couple a teeth whitening appointment with other work being done like a cleaning or a filling, but we like to schedule these in advance so we can be sure to have enough time for you in our chair.
Taking Impressions Of Your Teeth
First, we’ll make an exact model of your teeth by taking impressions to create a mold of the teeth in your mouth, their exact shapes, and how they all fit together. These molds are made from a powder called alginate. We mix it with water and scoop it into a tray that you bite down on for 60 seconds. In that time, it will harden around your teeth we’ll fill it with plaster to create the model.
Can I Choke On It?
Although this alginate mixture can be mildly uncomfortable and trigger your gag reflex, rest assured that it will not choke you. It appears to be runny, sort of like sillyputty. But it hardens quickly. So it wont drip down your throat.
Teeth Whitening
Depending on how busy our staff is the day you have your impressions taken, we can usually get your bleaching trays finished and delivered the same day. We’ll send you home with your trays and tubes of teeth whitening gel that you can use at home to whiten your teeth. If you notice any tooth sensitivity while whitening, try whitening for less time, and use a sensitive toothpaste.
Caring For Your Molds
Once you’re done whitening your teeth, it might make sense to just use toothpaste to clean out your tooth tray but over time this will actually cause the trays to dry out and crack. Instead use denture cleaner, or a light dish soap to clean your trays after every use.
Achieving that perfect white smile that you’ve always wanted is very obtainable, call or schedule an appointment with us today and we’ll get you on your way.