Teeth Whitening Mistakes

Many people are desperate to obtain a whiter, brighter smile. From coffee lovers to soon-to-be brides, a whiter smile is one of the most sought after beauty enhancements that people seek. However, there are different methods of achieving a whiter smile, and some may leave you with unwanted or unsuccessful results. The safest and most effective way to whiten your teeth is to visit your dentist for a professional teeth whitening appointment. Yet, many people try to use at-home whitening treatment kits in hopes of saving money and still achieving professional results. No at-home kit is going to give you the professional results that you desire while also safely lifting stains and discoloration. In some cases, at-home whitening kits can have negative effects on your dental health. If you desire a whiter smile, contact your cosmetic dentist for a professional teeth whitening appointment and avoid the following teeth whitening mistakes.

Not seeking advice from your dentist – Many people avoid the dentist office out of fear and out of knowing that they already have issues that they simply choose to ignore. Using at-home whitening kits on teeth that are unhealthy can cause extreme sensitivity or pain to develop, and it can cause decay to worsen in the teeth. Making sure that your teeth are healthy enough for whitening treatment is vital to your oral health. Unhealthy teeth will never achieve the results you desire, and they will not heal themselves.

Overuse of whitening strips – Many people use whitening strips at home in hopes of eliminating discoloration of their teeth. However, many people also think that by leaving the strips on twice as long that they will achieve twice the results. This is a dangerous practice that can hurt the tooth enamel and cause unwanted results. Leaving whitening strips on for too long can cause uneven whitening to occur, and having the product on the teeth for too long can begin to weaken the tooth enamel. It is vital that you speak with your dentist before using at home whitening strips and that you use the strips as directed.

One-size-fits-all trays – Over the counter whitening trays are developed to fit the average sized mouth. They will not give you the custom-fit for your mouth that is necessary when whitening your teeth. Without a secure fit on the teeth, the whitening gel will seep up onto the gum tissues, which will result in sensitivity and can cause pain and damage to occur. For at-home whitening, it is imperative that you have a custom tray made by your dentist.

Bleaching too often – Many people become addicted to whitening their teeth. Instead of making lifestyle changes (e.g. giving up coffee, wine, or tobacco) they just continue whitening their teeth. This over-bleaching is incredibly dangerous to the health of your teeth. Speak with your dentist if you are not achieving the results that you desire from your at-home whitening methods.

At Family & Cosmetic Dental Care, we are committed to helping patients achieve a beautiful and healthy smile. Call us today.
Posted by Mitul Patel DDS, Family & Cosmetic Dental Care
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