If you asked a handful of people if they would like whiter teeth the majority would probably say yes. Who wouldn’t want brighter pearly whites? Over time our teeth can become discolored from coffee, tea, smoking, or simply from aging. If you’re interested in doing at home whitening here are a few things you should know.
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Ask your dentist is whitening is right for you
Always start with your dentist. They know your teeth and will be able to tell if you whitening would be effective or not. Believe it or not there is a lot of consideration that goes into your dentists decision on whether to recommend whitening or not (i.e. patient has tooth sensitivity, enamel defects or decay that needs to be fixed beforehand).
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Knowing the risks of using the products
This goes hand in hand with #1. One person’s risks are different from the next so consulting with your dentist before purchasing one is best. Even though whitening is safe there are still some instructions you should know before starting use of a whitening product. Your dentist can instruct you on how to properly use it and how often to do so.
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Do your research
There are many different whitening products on the market right now such as toothpaste, strips, etc.…Some products contain bleaching agents and some don’t. Those with bleach will help removed surface stains along with deep stains that will change the natural color of the tooth. Those without bleach with only remove the surface stains.
Again, a consult with your dentist is best.
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Understanding that tooth colored fillings do not change color with bleaching
If you have a tooth colored filling or have had bonding it’s important to know that these will whiten with bleaching products. They will stand out and look to be a different color than your new bright smile. Making an appointment with your dentist will let you know if these areas will be visible while smiling and if they can give you a few other options such as veneers.
All of these points have one thing in common and that is visiting with your dentist prior to using any whitening agent.
Call us if you have any questions we are happy to help!