Dentist Requires Cleaning Before Whitening
Posted by Annmarie SanSevero
I’m kind of annoyed. I called my dentist’s office to get an appointment for teeth whitening. But, the receptionist said that the dentist will require I have my teeth cleaned first. Shouldn’t I be able to choose which services I want? Can he really force me to get a procedure I don’t want?
Dan
Dear Dan,
While your dentist cannot force you to do anything, he can say that he will not whiten your teeth without a cleaning. Believe it or not, this is not a money grab on his part. He is looking out for you. Skipping this step is one of the reasons people end up disappointed with their results. This is true even if you choose an over the counter whitening kit.
Why You Should Get a Professional Cleaning Before Teeth Whitening
Even if you brush and floss diligently, your teeth are still building up plaque and tartar. That build up prevents the whitening from getting to your teeth effectively. Not only will your teeth not be as white as they could have been were they professionally cleaned, but the results you do get will be splotchy. This is because some areas of your teeth will have more build up on them than others. Having that cleaning done takes away that barrier and gives you a brighter, more even result.
Another reason to follow your dentist’s plan is that when they do your check up and cleaning, they are also looking for things like cavities, gum inflammation (which indicates gum disease), and sensitive areas of your teeth. If you didn’t know about those and went ahead with the teeth whitening it could lead to bigger problems and even some pain during the treatment process. By discovering issues ahead of time they can deal with those quickly to protect you from having any issues.
If you don’t like the idea of making an extra appointment, you can schedule the teeth whitening procedure for right after your normal check up and cleaning. That way you don’t have to make a special extra trip.
Teeth whitening is an inexpensive way to make a huge difference in your appearance. Patients find that it makes them look years younger.
This blog is brought to you by a compassionate cosmetic dentist in Franklin, Dr. Christopher Weber.
An AACD accredited dentist.
