Is Teeth Whitening Bad For You?

Who does not want a bright, white, and radiant smile? When the teeth don’t look as bright or white as they should, they are generally in their discolouration stage. They appear to be darkened and noticeably turned from white to different colours (yellow, brown, gray, and black) and develop white or dark spots in places.

Most teeth turn yellow as the enamel thins with age. But some of the most common causes of tooth discolouration include drinking beverages such as coffee, tea, and wine. These substances get into the enamel of the teeth and can cause long-term discolouration. If you are smoking, a cigarette is one of the main causes of yellow or brown teeth—smoke stains can be seriously tough.

To achieve those brighter and whiter teeth once more, many people resort to shelling out money to undergo teeth whitening. But does teeth whitening work? Is it safe? If you are planning to get your teeth whitened, here are some crucial points to guide you.

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is the process of making teeth lighter or whiter. There are two methods of teeth whitening—the bleaching and non-bleaching methods. Bleaching is the process that relies on chemicals to penetrate enamel and dentine to lighten the teeth. The active ingredient used in most bleaching agents is hydrogen peroxide. On the other hand, the non-bleaching method is basically a physical removal of superficial stains using abrasive agents like sodium bicarbonate or baking soda, which are found in many kinds of toothpaste.

Who can perform teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is basically a dentistry job and should only be carried out by none other than a dentist or trained dental professional.

Teeth whitening is offered in some beauty salons

We are aware that there are beauty salons that offer teeth whitening. Remember that it is illegal to perform teeth whitening without the presence of a dental professional. Doing so may put the patient’s dental health at risk. You should only go to a registered and legitimate dental clinic.

Over-the-counter teeth whitening kits

There are various do-it-yourself teeth whitening kits available over the counter, but we don’t recommend them as they may carry great risks to your oral health. Most of these home kits don’t contain relevant whitening products to be effective. Aside from that, if a dental professional isn’t the one doing the whitening or bleaching, the mouthguard provided may not fit properly, causing some of the bleaching gel to leak out onto the gums and mouth and may cause blistering and tooth sensitivity.

If you want to bleach your teeth, we highly encourage you to talk to a dentist to give you the best whitening options and a treatment plan that is well suited for you to avoid complications. Esteem Dental Care can help you understand how the whitening process works. While on treatment, we will monitor your progress, and treat any sensitivity issues that may arise. You may check out our whitening services here.

Cost of professional teeth whitening 

A tooth whitening treatment performed at dental clinics can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000 depending on the type of treatment used and treatment plan customisation.

Whitening false teeth

Any teeth whitening method doesn’t work or is applicable to dentures, crowns, fillings, or veneers.

Risks of teeth whitening

Any treatment can cause your gums to be sensitive to the chemicals used in teeth whitening, especially for those who have sensitive teeth. Using whitening kits at home is susceptible to having burns on the gums, which can also harm tooth enamel. The best option is to have the treatment done in a legitimate dental clinic by qualified dental professionals.

How long do professionally whitened teeth last?

Whitening results can last for several months depending on the whitening options and types of bleaching agents used by your dentist. What you eat and drink can also impact how long your teeth whitening lasts. Oftentimes, the average result of teeth whitening can last from 6 months to 3 years. If you smoke or drink red wine, tea, or coffee and can’t avoid teeth-staining foods, whitening results won’t last long.

Maintaining brightened or whitened teeth

After any whitening treatment, the teeth are still prone to staining from certain foods and drinks. Smoking habits and poor oral hygiene can also set back results. Rinsing your mouth or brushing your teeth after eating or drinking and quitting your smoking habit can keep those discolouring agents from settling into your teeth.

Here at Esteem Dental Care, we deeply understand how restoring your dazzlingly bright smile can make you look great and feel confident. Our skilled dentists at one of our two conveniently located dental offices (Ashmore-0755395009/Robina-0756397302) would love to meet you! Contact us today to schedule your dental appointment.