If you want to whiten your teeth, you'll probably get the best results if you go to a dentist for a professional treatment. The home whitening kits can then be used to maintain your bright smile, but the kits don't remove stains as well or as fast as a dentist can. Here's how to know if you're a good candidate for teeth whitening and how you prepare for the treatment.

Professional Treatments Can't Help All Stains

Some stains can't be removed. This includes dark teeth from an injury or thin enamel. Also, if you have teeth that are dark due to antibiotics or other medications, teeth whitening products probably won't help much at all. Whitening procedures, whether you buy a home kit or get a professional treatment, work best on stains from food, beverages, aging, and smoking.

Your Dentist Will Examine Your Teeth First

When you have a whitening treatment from your dentist, your gums are protected so they are spared any harm. Still, some gum and tooth problems might be irritated by the procedure. Your dentist will examine your teeth first and if you have cracks or cavities, you may need to have them repaired before you have your teeth whitened.

Your Teeth Are Professionally Cleaned Before The Procedure

The first step to whiter teeth is to have your teeth cleaned to get rid of plaque and tartar buildup on the enamel. This is a regular dental cleaning that you would normally get on your regular checkups. If there is any plaque on your teeth it could interfere with the bleaching process and make your new color uneven. You probably won't have the cleaning and whitening done the same day since that might make your teeth too sensitive, but you should have the procedures done fairly close together before your teeth have time to build up more plaque.

Sensitive Teeth May Not Be A Problem

If you've been using whitening products at home, you may have developed sensitive teeth. Be sure to let your dentist know if you have sensitive teeth before you have the whitening procedure done. You may be asked to use toothpaste for sensitive teeth for several days before you have your teeth whitened. Your dentist may even need to adjust the procedure to treat your sensitive teeth at the same time you have the whitening treatment so you won't experience discomfort.

Once your teeth are cleaned and any work you need has been done, you're ready to brighten your smile. The procedure you have in your dentist's office generally shows results after one treatment, which is nice when you want white teeth for an important occasion or when you're just tired of being embarrassed by stained teeth when you smile. For more information, visit websites like http://www.vfdental.com.