Teeth whitening is a great option to make your teeth brighter and healthy-looking. If you don’t like the color of your teeth, you can have them whitened. But not just yet. There are things you need to consider first before choosing whitening as an option. First, there must be a proper dental examination to determine if whitening is really for you. Through X-rays, the dentist will determine what caused the discoloration. The dentist knows best. So consult your dentist first before you start exploring whitening options.
Instances Where Whitening Products Is Not the Best Option
While https://www.evdp.net/dental-blog/teeth-whitening-faqs/ whitening effectively treats teeth discoloration, it is not the solution to all kinds of discoloration. A teeth discoloration may be due various causes including root canal problems, decay and abscess. If such are the causes, bleaching or whitening may not resolve the problem. Yes, it can make your teeth whiter, but it won’t solve the underlying cause or the main problem. This is why it’s important that you undergo a pre-bleaching exam, in order for the dentist to determine which treatment is best for you. The natural aesthetics of your mouth are also considered. Normally, if you have gummy smile and short teeth, bleaching or whitening would not be your best option. Whiter teeth will accentuate your gummy smile, which may make things from bad to worse. Another important thing, if you have exposed tooth roots, bleaching would not be the ideal treatment; it might end up causing pain.
Can Whitening Products Damage Teeth?
The best whitening products for teeth are safe if used as directed, provided that the bleaching has low concentration of peroxide. However, this must be applied after proper dental examination. But there are common side effects of bleaching, such as tooth sensitivity. Solutions that are more acidic must be avoided as they can etch the enamel of the teeth. Avoid applying the whitening for long periods of time, or longer than what’s prescribed.
The normal bleaching substance consists of 10 percent carbamide peroxide and 35 percent hydrogen peroxide. The reason why hydrogen peroxide must come in low concentration is that it is more acidic and should not remain on the teeth for long periods of time. It can only stay active for up to an hour. Carbamide peroxide is less acidic and can remain active for up to 10 hours. So a stronger concentration of this would not result to tooth decay and enamel damage, as compared to hydrogen peroxide. When buying bleaching products, check the concentration level and determine the treatment time. It is best to consult your dentist as regards the concentration of the material you use, as this will help you find the best whitening products for teeth. Your dentist will make the necessary steps to protect your teeth and gums if you use such product. It is highly recommended as well that you keep your gums as healthy as possible prior the bleaching. So if you have just had your teeth cleaned, you must wait around two weeks before you start the whitening process. Also, it helps if you use soft toothbrush once you have started using the product.
Best Whitening Products for Teeth
As already said, the best whitening products for teeth are those that contain low concentrations of active ingredients. Remember the recommended concentration level of hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. Check the concentration level before buying the whitening product. To make sure that you are using the right product, you must consult your dentist before you schedule the bleaching or during the pre-bleaching period. More importantly, use the whitening product as recommended. Using it way more than necessary or longer than what is prescribed can lead to possible damage of your teeth and gums.
Tooth Sensitivity
If you have sensitive teeth, you need to take extra precautions before you begin the whitening process. To prevent teeth sensitivity or at least to reduce it, you must brush your teeth for at least two weeks prior the whitening process using desensitizing toothpaste which contains potassium nitrate. You can also use potassium nitrate, by putting it in the bleaching tray during the whitening process. Another way of reducing teeth sensitivity is to reduce the frequency of applying the best whitening products for teeth and taking breaks instead of continuously applying the product.
Are All Teeth Susceptible to Whitening?
This is another concern that many people ask. The answer to this is that all teeth are susceptible, but not all will achieve the same level of whiteness. You must consider that each tooth has its maximum limit of whiteness. People cannot attain the same maximum whiteness, even if the material, product and technique used are the same. The best whitening products for teeth work by going through the enamel, then to the dentin, down the innermost layer of the teeth. It then changes the generic color of the teeth and removes the stains at the same time. This process applies to all kinds of teeth, but the result is not always the same. Normal teeth can become opaque upon bleaching. Yellow teeth can whiten but not as much. Translucent teeth can become more translucent instead of becoming white.
If you are really interested in having your teeth whitened, consult a dentist and follow all the necessary precautions. Check us out if you need to consult a dentist. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.