Greg Scheier, DDS of Scheier Dental Group. Dentist Anne Clemons, DMD, explains how teeth whitening works and if it's worth it. Whitening products have been around for decades, and millions of people use them, including many dentists, Dr. If you've been wondering the same thing, you've come to the right place.
We frequently receive these questions from our dental patients in Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria and other parts of Maricopa County. Read on to discover everything you ever wanted to know about teeth whitening. Teeth whitening used to be the domain of movie stars and rock gods, but it's not anymore. Advances in technology have made teeth whitening available to the masses and for less money than you might expect.
Is teeth whitening worth it? The reasons for teeth whitening are tied to vanity, one way or another, but that doesn't mean it's not a worthy procedure. You can feel better about your appearance when you whiten your teeth, which will improve your own self-esteem. That can give you the confidence to defend yourself, ask for a raise, or demand better treatment for your children. Whatever your reason for wanting your teeth to be whitened, it's a valid wish.
Teeth whitening can be a safe and relatively inexpensive way to improve your outlook on life. Teeth whitening has received bad press due to restrictions, such as not doing it when you are pregnant or breastfeeding. They are more precautions than real dangers. When a dentist is asked “is teeth whitening bad? they will answer that it is not.
All dental procedures have side effects, but is teeth whitening bad for my teeth? Not. As you age, the enamel begins to wear off. This wear reveals the darker tissue that surrounds the nerves and blood vessels of the teeth. There is no way to repair this natural erosion, so teeth begin to take on a duller gray color.
While people often become self-conscious about the yellowing of their teeth, which leads them to wonder if teeth are worth whitening, yellowing teeth are generally not a sign of. Genetics influence how much enamel wears out, and it's unrealistic to expect people to stop consuming hot caffeinated drinks. It is given in a safe procedure supervised by a dentist. First, the gums are protected with a painted rubber gasket to ensure that the teeth whitener doesn't damage the gum line.
The dentist or hygienist then applies the gel to the teeth for one hour. It is typical for one to two shades of discoloration. We recommend it to our patients who want to start their whitening process. However, for long-lasting results, this should be followed by at-home whitening with custom trays that are included in the cost.
This can be convenient because you don't have to schedule a time to go to the dentist, but it can also be cumbersome because walking around your house with whitening trays in your mouth is annoying and uncomfortable. There is also a whitening kit to go with an improved tray design for an adaptable whitening experience. The tray's unique material (not tailor-made) easily adapts to your individual smile. Molar-to-molar coverage ensures that the gel contacts more posterior teeth.
It is available in mint, melon and peach flavors. This to-go kit is provided only by dentists such as AZ Family Dental. This is without a doubt an easy option. However, what gains in convenience and price, may lose effectiveness.
Because you don't have a professional administering the product, you may find inconsistent results. These kits are not customized for the patient and may cause increased sensitivity or possible gum burns. The American Dental Association recommends that you have a checkup with your dentist before using whitening strips on your own. As long as the strips are used as intended, there is no real danger to the mouth.
Whitening can have short-term consequences, such as tooth sensitivity and gum or tooth pain. Your dentist can help you treat them with new toothpaste, pain relievers such as Tylenol or ibuprofen, or a numbing gel. We hear many people ask, “Is teeth whitening safe for teeth with restorations? Yes, it is. It will not harm any other restoration that has been done to your mouth.
That means that existing fillings, joints, bridges, veneers and crowns will not be harmed by any whitening you have done. However, keep in mind that whitening your teeth may cause them to have a different color than these other restorations. You cannot bleach a filling, crown, or other restoration; it will still be the same color as it was before bleaching. There is no evidence that tooth enamel is damaged.
It does not soften the teeth or change the surface of the tooth. Well, we have established that teeth whitening is not dangerous to tooth enamel. But is teeth whitening bad for teeth for a long period of time? Not when done with due supervision and caution. If you do something to excess, from eating to exercising, it can be bad for you, and the same goes for teeth whitening.
Don't apply over-the-counter strips every day for five years, or you could damage your teeth. Don't rebleach them every two months in the dentist's office. So you're just asking for trouble because your teeth are delicate. If you're wondering if teeth whitening is bad when you do it from time to time, the answer is no.
It's definitely worth investing in teeth whitening if you have the money and are willing to take the time to do it right. If you're looking for a long-term solution that you'll never have to repeat, or don't have a lot of money for extras, teeth whitening may not be the right answer for you. Whitening toothpaste doesn't whiten teeth. Does not contain any ingredients that actually whiten teeth.
We recommend patients use whitening toothpaste after bleaching to better maintain their shade. Now that we've answered all your questions about whether teeth whitening is bad for you, you're probably ready to make your decision. First of all, here's a quick note on how to keep your teeth whiter and cleaner. Once your teeth have been whitened, they won't stay that way without serious maintenance.
Teeth Whitening by Your Dentist Can Make Teeth Shine Faster. Whitening solution is usually much stronger than home kits. In addition, heat, light, or a combination of the two can be used to speed up and intensify the whitening process. Is teeth whitening safe? Yes, it can be.
Simply manage your whitening protocol like any medical treatment, listen to your dentist, follow instructions, and watch for unwanted side effects. Then you can safely and effectively whiten your teeth and brighten your smile. There is no evidence that the teeth whitening process has a detrimental effect on a tooth's nerve health. One study reported that, in both a 4.5- and 7-year follow-up, no one who used a teeth whitening system needed an endodontic procedure on any of the teeth that had been whitened.
Your dentist can evaluate the health of your teeth and address any problems, such as tooth decay or gum disease, before starting a whitening protocol. Carbamide peroxide does the same, but releases approximately 50% of its whitening capacity in the first few hours and can remain active for hours afterwards. However, most of these conditions would be diagnosed during a visit to the dentist, so it would be wise to have a routine checkup before whitening. There are some good reasons to keep your teeth white, such as a more beautiful smile, increased confidence, and most importantly, better oral hygiene.
Agents found in teeth whitening treatment can damage developing teeth, especially pulp chambers, which can cause sensitivity. Whitening toothpastes only remove surface stains and do not contain bleach; over-the-counter and professional whitening products contain carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide that lightens the color deep inside the tooth. Notify your dentist right away if your tray is uncomfortable so that the problem can be fixed and not damage your teeth. The degree of whiteness will vary from person to person depending on the condition of the teeth, the level of stains and the type of whitening system used.
More than 10 years of clinical use of teeth whitening products containing 10% carbamide peroxide have demonstrated no damage to existing fillings. To make sure teeth whitening is worth your time and money, talk to your dentist before using an over-the-counter teeth whitening kit. Studies of teeth whitening products using 10% carbamide peroxide showed no effect on the hardness or mineral content of the tooth enamel surface. However, there are many things you can do to improve the condition of your teeth before considering teeth whitening.
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