We’ve all been there. We look in the mirror and realize that time, foods, or habits have taken away from the luster and bright whiteness of our teeth and we’re not smiling as much because of it.  When this happens, we often turn to smile whitening procedures. However, Dr. Greg Liss wants you to know that it’s important to visit your dentist in Little Falls before moving forward with a whitening treatment.

Since some options for teeth whitening can lead to damage, and sometimes, even pain, it’s important to have an initial dental visit with your dentist before you jump into a smile whitening routine. By visiting us before choosing a teeth whitening regimen, we can discuss your desires, examine you to see if whitening is appropriate, and help you choose the best option for your smile.

Sometimes people skip this step and head straight to their local drugstore to pick up the cheapest over-the-counter whitening product, but this can lead to some damaging consequences.

Many drugstore whitening products have trays that hold the whitening solution. These are inserted into the mouth, over the teeth. However, since these trays are not custom fitted for your unique mouth, it’s not unusual for the solution to leak onto your gums and sit there for an extended period of time. This can lead to gum irritation. Additionally, some over-the-counter whiteners can cause tooth sensitivity and are sometimes ineffective at giving you your desired results.

With a quick visit to our dental office in Little Falls, we can work together to figure out how to successfully and safely get your pearly whites bright and vibrant again. If a whitening treatment isn’t for you, we can talk about alternatives like veneers or bonding. Either way, starting off with a visit to us is the best way to get you smiling again!