Four Facts To Know About Teeth Whitening

If you have found that you are upset with the appearance of your smile because your teeth are starting to yellow, you may have been considering the option of getting professional teeth whitening done. If this is the case, here are four facts to know about teeth whitening:

  1. You May Not Need Whitening:  Over time, your teeth can develop deposits that make your teeth not appear white any longer. However, these can easily be removed by your dentist during a regular cleaning, which should make your smile appear white again. Before jumping into teeth whitening procedures, it's best to get a cleaning done to ensure that this isn't the case. 
  2. Whitening Isn't Permanent: Maintaining the whiteness of your smile after going through the teeth whitening process is up to you. Professional teeth whitening can last up to twelve years, but it may not even be as long as that if you aren't brushing and flossing regularly, rinsing your mouth after meals, or are consuming beverages and foods that can stain your teeth. For example, coffee drinkers typically won't have as much of a long lasting effect after getting teeth whitening done. It's best to switch to teas or even cut caffeine altogether if you are looking for longer lasting effects. 
  3. Side Effects are Rare When Done by Professionals: The problem with over-the-counter teeth whitening kits that you can use at home is that there is a chance that you could be over-whitening your teeth. This can cause problems with sensitivity since the chemicals in these products breaks down tooth enamel. It's better to leave it to the professionals, like Oakwood Family Dentistry, who will know just how much teeth whitening your smile can handle so that you don't experience problems such as sensitivity and irritation in the gums. 
  4. Not Everyone Can go Through the Teeth Whitening Procedure:  There are some instances where you will not be able to go through the teeth whitening procedure. For example, if you are pregnant, it's best to wait until after baby is born so that they aren't being exposed to those chemicals. You also won't be able to go through with the whitening process if you have cavities or gum disease. These issues will need to be treated beforehand. 

When you know these four facts about the teeth whitening procedure, you can be better prepared for the process if you are ready to go through with it yourself.


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