The risks of teeth whitening

Are you thinking about whitening your teeth? Before doing so, check with your dentist about the possible risks, especially if you plan to whiten your teeth with a whitening system to use at home.

The risks associated with teeth whitening include the sensitivity of the teeth and damage to the roots of the teeth. Dentists can predict if you have problems or sensitivity with the procedure. It can also help relieve sensitivity by recommending certain procedures and toothpastes designed to treat sensitive teeth. Dentists can also examine signs of root damage caused by tooth whitening and treat the condition if it is detected early.

Tooth coloring

Why do the teeth change color and become darker or more yellow? The internal part of the teeth usually darkens with the passage of time. In addition, personal habits, such as smoking or drinking coffee, tea or wine, can cause teeth to stain. Some medications can also discolor them.

Frequently, cleaning teeth in your dental office can remove external stains, in addition to promoting good oral health. Be sure to visit the dentist for a thorough examination and cleaning before you decide to whiten your teeth. You can discover that a professional cleaning is all you need to have a whiter and brighter smile.

Whitening or not whitening

Generally, teeth whitening is successful in at least 90 percent of patients. As a rule, yellow teeth respond well to whitening, while brown teeth do not respond as well. It is very likely that the gray spots caused by the cigarette, taking tetracycline or fluorosis (ingestion of too much fluoride) do not change drastically with teeth whitening.

In the same way, teeth whitening may not improve your smile if you have had adhesive restorations or placed tooth-colored fillings on your front teeth. The bleach will not affect the color of these materials and these will not match your new bleached smile. In these cases, you will want to investigate other options, such as porcelain veneers or dental adhesive restorations on other teeth.

Is bleaching a good option for you?

Before you decide to whiten your teeth, here are some things to consider:

  • What does your dentist advice? Not all blemishes can be cleared with professional whitening or over-the-counter bleaching, and your dentist can guide you. In case you have sensitive teeth, gum disease or teeth with worn enamel, your dentist will discourage teeth whitening.
  • Is it worth the cost of whitening? Generally, Delta Dental does not cover teeth whitening procedures in the dental office. Always check the coverage of the specific plan before carrying out any dental procedure or treatment.
  • Should you have a professional treatment or whitening system to use at home? Whitening can be done in your dentist’s office or at home. (The Academy of General Dentistry recommends the supervision of the dentist for any whitening treatment, even for over-the-counter bleaches). Although over-the-counter treatments are cheaper, they may require a longer treatment period and the risks of irritation of the gums or damage to prior dental work may increase. If you want faster and more reliable results, ask your dentist about whitening or laser whitening in the office. Whitening done in the office may require more than one session. The results obtained from whitening supervised by the dentist can last between one and five years (depending on what you eat or drink and how much you smoke).

Whether you decide to whiten your teeth or not, keep in mind that good daily oral health habits such as brushing and flossing and regular checks and cleanings go far to keep your smile bright and healthy.