Before you can visit a dentist for professional teeth whitening services, you will need to go to the dentist for an examination. The point of this examination is to determine if you are a good candidate for this procedure, and here are several things the dentist will look for during this examination.

Your Current Oral Health Condition

To qualify as a good candidate for teeth whitening, you will need good oral health. In other words, your mouth must be healthy and clean. If you have any cavities or other problems with your teeth, the dentist might recommend taking care of those issues first.

This is especially important if you have any signs of gum disease. With gum disease, your teeth and gums will be overly sensitive. Additionally, gum disease is an infection, which means there is bacteria present. Before you can get your teeth whitened, you will need to address any oral health problems the dentist finds.

The Types of Stains You Have on Your Teeth

Your dentist will also carefully examine your teeth to determine what types of stains you have. Professional teeth-whitening services only work well for stains that are extrinsic, or on the outsides of the teeth. When teeth have intrinsic stains, it means the stains are on the inner layers of the teeth, and teeth whitening does not offer great results for these types of stains.

If the dentist finds that your stains are primarily extrinsic, he or she might recommend getting your teeth cleaned prior to the teeth whitening. This will help remove any built-up plaque, and plaque discolors teeth. Getting your teeth cleaned first can help the whitening services offer more effective results.

The Sensitivity of Your Teeth and Gums

Finally, your dentist will ask you about the sensitivity you experience with your teeth and gums. For example, do you feel sharp pains when you take a bite of ice cream? If you have really sensitive teeth, getting your teeth whitened can hurt a lot. In this case, the dentist might give you some steps to take to help desensitize your teeth prior to getting them whitened. One common step you can take to do this is switching to a desensitizing toothpaste.

After getting your teeth examined by a dentist, you can schedule your appointment for teeth cleaning if your dentist feels you are a good candidate. To schedule a visit for an examination, contact a dental clinic today.