Eight Myths About Teeth Whitening

A beautiful smile is a positive facial feature that increases one’s attractiveness and confidence. As such, getting a teeth whitening treatment has been a popular means of acquiring the desired smile that boosts your confidence in both social and official gatherings. However, there have been myths and misconceptions about teeth whitening that make potential patients put off their trip to the dentist. Here are eight common teeth whitening myths.

You Can Effectively Whiten Your Teeth Using Home Remedies

There are numerous videos on social media about how you can attain that beautiful smile only by using home remedies. Whereas a combination of some ingredients might have bleaching properties, they are not backed by science, and the effects can be unpredictable. Dentists use strong whitening gels with tested active ingredients to whiten your teeth effectively. Moreover, dentists have the proper training to know the right amount of bleaching ingredients to use on each set of teeth. Dentists also have the right equipment to achieve the desired result. Trying to whiten your teeth using home remedies bears the risk of using an incompatible ingredient or overusing it, damaging your teeth.

Teeth Whitening Harms Your Enamel

Despite popular beliefs, whitening will not damage your enamel. The enamel is considered the hardest substance in the body, composed of 96% mineral, making it durable and damage-resistant. The bleaching gel flows through the enamel tubules and lightens the interior stained tissue during the whitening process. The tubules are then nourished with organic compounds in the saliva, making them close over time without harming the enamel. Some people might experience tooth sensitivity after whitening, but that does not mean there is any damage to the enamel. The sensitivity occurs when the whitening gel goes through the dentinal tubules to the nerve endings below. Dental sensitivity usually lasts up to 48 hours and can be reduced by rinsing with lukewarm water after brushing and avoiding hot and cold drinks.

Whitening Removes All Stains And Discoloration

Whitening does remove stains and discoloration in your teeth. However, the results can vary depending on numerous factors such as age, genetics, and level of staining. Some people might get better results than others, while heavy smokers and coffee drinkers might not fully get the stains and discoloration off their teeth. If your teeth are genetically yellow compared to others, you might not get the same results as someone else, even with the same treatment procedure. Moreover, as we age, the teeth become more discolored due to the underlying dentin. Thus, older people might find whitening more difficult. Although you might not get a Hollywood smile, whitening does make your teeth whiter and better than before; hence it’s always recommended to try it.

You Can Never Drink Coffee Or Wine After Whitening

Generally, teeth are more vulnerable to staining in the first few days following the whitening. Therefore it is advisable to keep off staining substances such as coffee and wine for at least 48 hours after your whitening appointment. Once your dentinal tubules close up again after the whitening, you can get back to enjoying your favourite drinks without any staining consequences.

Your Teeth Will Remain White Forever After Whitening

Although your teeth will be whiter than their original colour after whitening, they will not remain like this forever. Depending on how often you drink or eat staining substances such as black tea, red wine, coffee, and cola drinks, your teeth will get discolored over time. The pigments of these substances are held by the porous tooth enamel causing discoloration on the outer enamel surface. Other factors that cause teeth staining include ageing, overuse of fluoride, rampant tobacco use, and medical conditions such as calcium deficiency, metabolic diseases, celiac disease, and eating disorders. Your oral hygiene also plays a big role in the colour of your teeth. Using dentist-recommended toothpaste and regular flossing, brushing twice a day can keep your teeth clean and maintain that radiant smile.

You Can Whiten Crowns, Dentures, Implants, Or Veneers

Although dental prostheses might give you a natural-looking smile, teeth whitening procedures do not work on them once they are implanted. However, porcelain dental prosthetics tend to keep their colour for a long time, eliminating the need for whitening. This can be a downside where some of your teeth are natural; thus, the contrast will show once the natural teeth start discoloring over time, making the artificial teeth look more obvious. It is recommended to have your prostheses whitened before being installed. Moreover, if you plan to whiten your teeth, you should do so before getting any crowns, veneers, or implants so that they can match your whitened teeth.

Whitening Toothpaste Will Whiten Your Teeth

Using toothpaste regularly is recommended for good oral hygiene. However, there isn’t enough concentration of any whitening component to make any noticeable difference to the colour of your teeth. Whitening toothpaste typically contains abrasives that can polish the teeth and other chemicals that may help remove some stains. In contrast, whitening products have higher levels of hydrogen peroxide, the bleaching agent that removes stains and discoloration.

Everyone Can Undergo A Teeth-Whitening Procedure

Despite popular beliefs, you do not qualify to have your teeth whitened by simply having discoloured teeth. There are limitations that determine who is suitable to undergo the procedure. First, whitening is only recommended for people above sixteen years old. The teeth development is deemed sufficient for the whitening process at that age. Pregnant or lactating mothers are also discouraged from having their teeth whitened due to the potential harm to the baby by hydrogen peroxide.

Additionally, if you are allergic to hydrogen peroxide, you are discouraged from whitening your teeth due to the potential side effects. Suppose you have a dental condition such as gingivitis or periodontal disease. In that case, it is not recommended to whiten your teeth since the hydrogen peroxide will irritate your gums and may cause bleeding.

Without proper information and professional help, whitening your teeth can be dangerous. If you have any questions about whitening your teeth, Woodcreek Family Dentistry is ready to help. We have the latest equipment in the dental field and highly trained dentists to give you the smile makeover that will boost your appearance and confidence. Our dentist will conduct a thorough oral exam to ensure that we adopt the most effective treatment for you. Contact us today and schedule your appointment with our experts by visiting our website. https://woodcreekdentistry.com/

Woodcreek Family Dentistry
4650 S FM 1626 #104 Katy TX 77494
2814082222
https://woodcreekdentistry.com/

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