Who Can Get Professional Teeth Whitening: Understanding Candidacy in Sierra Vista, AZ

Who Qualifies for Professional Teeth Whitening?

At Gentle Care Dentistry and Implant, our Sierra Vista dentists know a bright, white smile can help boost your confidence and enhance your appearance. However, not everyone is a suitable candidate for professional teeth whitening. There are various teeth whitening options available, such as KöR whitening, Zoom in-office teeth whitening, and Opalescence take-home whitening. It’s important to consult a dentist to choose the best option for your needs.

Our dentist will perform a comprehensive examination and evaluation to determine if you qualify for professional teeth whitening. From there, we’ll determine which type of teeth whitening treatment is right for you. To schedule your consultation for teeth whitening, contact our Sierra Vista dentist today at (520) 458-9460.

Tooth Whitening Candidacy Factors

Health Requirements

Before undergoing any dental procedure, including professional teeth whitening, it’s essential to ensure that you’re in good oral health. Tooth decay can cause intrinsic tooth discoloration, which may not be effectively treated by whitening procedures.

You won’t qualify if you have any underlying dental problems such as gum disease, cavities, or exposed tooth roots. These issues can cause tooth sensitivity and pain during and after the whitening process. Your dentist will examine your teeth and gums before recommending professional teeth whitening.

Age Restrictions

Professional teeth whitening candidacy is generally deemed for those 18 years and older. This is because the enamel on the teeth of children and teenagers is still developing and can be more sensitive to the whitening agents used during the procedure. Additionally, professional teeth whitening isn’t suitable for baby teeth.

If your child has discoloration, it indicates a more severe issue. Rather than covering up the problem, we recommend parents take their children to the dentist to discover the root cause and treat it.

Pregnancy

We don’t recommend this treatment if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Pregnancy causes oral health changes to the point that receiving the treatment seems impractical or complicates the process. Although there’s no evidence that professional teeth whitening is harmful during pregnancy, it’s best to be cautious and wait until after giving birth or finishing breastfeeding.

Extensive Dental Work

If you have dental restorations such as veneers, crowns, or bridges, you may not be a suitable for professional teeth whitening candidacy. The whitening agents used in the procedure won’t whiten dental restorations. This can lead to a potential mismatch between natural teeth and restored teeth after the procedure because dental restorations are immune to stainings. If you have these restorations, your dentist will recommend other options to improve the appearance of your smile.

If you’re planning to receive dental restorations, we recommend that you whiten your teeth so your dentist can match the color of your restoration.

Frequently Asked Questions