Facts About Teeth Whitening to Know About

We all desire a bright and dazzling smile and that is probably why teeth whitening has become a popular cosmetic dental procedure. However, because of the several products available in the market, the treatment has been surrounded by myths. Before getting teeth whitening near you, it is vital to know the facts.

1. Several Factors Can Stain Your Teeth

Certain habits promote teeth staining faster than others. For instance, smoking and chewing tobacco will lead to discoloration of the teeth and also the gums. Taking wine, coffee, tea, and dark chocolate can also cause stains to develop.

Our teeth have pores that make it easy for these products to penetrate and lead to discoloration. You are advised to stop or limit the consumption of these foods. If you do take them, it is vital to brush your teeth immediately after to stop the teeth from absorbing the compounds.

Other factors that can cause the teeth to discolor are age and medications.

2. Teeth Whitening Performed at the Dental Office is the Most Recommended

Although at-home whitening kits are readily available, they come with some risks. That is probably the reason why some people are hesitant about getting teeth whitening treatment. However, with professional teeth whitening, you can be guaranteed to have a safe procedure that does not damage your teeth.

The dentist will use whitening products that have higher levels of the bleaching agent, but he will take the necessary precautions to protect the gums.

With the in-office teeth whitening, the only side effect is teeth sensitivity. But, the dentist will prescribe tooth-sensitive toothpaste to reduce the discomfort.

3. Store-Bought Whitening Products Are Not as Effective

Whitening products like toothpaste, strips, and gels are affordable and can be purchased from your local drug store. However, these products contain lower levels of bleaching agents, meaning they are not effective in removing the stains. Furthermore, it can take several months to show positive results.

These store-bought teeth whitening products work great for slowing teeth staining, but do not remove the stains effectively.

4. Teeth Whitening Does Not Prevent Future Discoloration

Professional teeth whitening is effective in bleaching your teeth, but the results are not permanent. This means if you have habits like smoking and over consuming coffee and wine, your teeth can stain again.

5. Dental Restorations Cannot Be Bleached

The bleaching agent can penetrate the teeth to remove the stains because they are porous. Since restorations like crowns, bonding, and veneers are not porous, and therefore they cannot be bleached. Once the restorations are fixed, the shade cannot be changed. The dentist will opt to replace them instead to have them match the rest of the teeth.

6. Teeth Whitening May Not Be Right For You

Sometimes you can’t have your teeth whitened. For example, if you suffer from tooth sensitivity because of having a thin enamel. Worn-down cavity fillings can also cause sensitivity and the dentist will first fix them before performing teeth whitening.

Teeth whitening may also not be ideal if you are pregnant and the American Dental Association advises that you hold off on the treatment.

If you have severe teeth discoloration, the dentist may recommend other treatments like veneers or crowns.

7. Home Whitening Remedies Can Be A Bad Idea

The use of home remedies such as baking soda, vinegar, and citrus juice has been on the rise. However, these products are not effective in brightening the teeth. Furthermore, baking soda and citrus fruits may erode the enamel and leave it vulnerable to decay.

How is Professional Teeth Whitening Done?

The in-office teeth whitening treatment is done in about 45 minutes and it involves three, 15-minute sessions The dentist will apply the whitening agent on the teeth and leave it for a couple of minutes before rinsing.

After the procedure, you will experience sensitivity. That is why you are advised to avoid taking any hot and cold foods a couple of hours after the procedure.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit Dental Land for more information about teeth whitening, how it is performed, and how you can prevent teeth discoloration.