What Are The Risks of Teeth Whitening

Whitening your teeth is a great way to quickly brighten and refresh your smile! There are a number of at-home whitening treatments available and if you do not have any dental issues that simply want a wider, brighter smile, whitening your teeth could be the best treatment for you. Teeth whitening eden prairie mn is a non-invasive cosmetic dental procedure and can be done in as little as an hour and a half.

What causes teeth to become discolored?

Everyone knows the usual suspects: coffee, red wine, and tomato sauce. But other things such as certain medications and tobacco use can easily cause our teeth to become dull and yellowed over time. Tetracycline is one such medication that has caused a number of adults to have a gray discoloration to their teeth. Whitening tetracycline stains is a bit harder and cannot be achieved with over-the-counter whitening treatments but your dentist likely offers the specific type of professional whitening that you would need.

Having your teeth professionally cleaned at your dental office is the best way to make sure you achieve maximum results when whitening. Your hygienist will remove surface stains and any plaque buildup that could get in the way of the peroxide solution doing its job to whiten your teeth.

Are there any risks involved in whitening your teeth?

No dental treatment is completely without risk, including whitening your teeth. Some patients can expect to experience an increase in sensitivity and even “zingers“ that can be rather painful but usually subside within a day or two. To lessen your risk of sensitivity, it can be helpful to begin using a sensitivity toothpaste like Sensodyne for a few weeks before your whitening treatment and then a few weeks afterward. Other risks with tooth whitening include damage to tooth enamel or even to the pulp of the tooth.

Is teeth whitening right for you?

As with any treatment, at-home or in-office, it is important to discuss your options with your Dentist to make sure that you do not cause damage or waste your money. Your dentist can determine if you are a candidate for teeth whitening and what type of whitening treatment would be best for you. Patients who are prone to sensitivity would likely benefit from a gradual whitening with either a take-home kit from your dentist or an over-the-counter kit. Patients that do not have the patience or time to gradually white in their teeth over a couple of weeks would do best with an in-office whitening treatment.

If you suffer from periodontal disease, your dentist will probably advise that you get your mouth healthy before introducing any cosmetic treatments, even whitening.

After you have whitened your teeth, you can help keep them as bright as possible by using baking soda toothpaste and a mouthwash that contains peroxide to remove stains daily. Regular professional cleanings can help remove stubborn stains that set in between whitening and make sure that your smile remains healthy as well as bright!

More on Teeth Whitening : Is Professional Teeth Whitening For Me?

 

Call Smile Eden Prairie (952) 941-9829

Smile Eden Prairie practitioners are thorough, compassionate dentists treating patients in Eden Prairie and the surrounding communities. Their primary goal as a practitioner is to help people achieve optimal oral health outcomes.

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