Whitening teeth is one of the easiest and most common dental methods to improve the appearance of your smile. While there are many do-it-yourself teeth whitening products available on the market today, these are some common mistakes which can cause you to have disastrous or ineffective results.
- Patients who do not see their dentist first to make sure their smile is healthy and prepared for whitening run the risk of damaging teeth and nerves. The bleach in whitening products can seep through holes in unhealthy teeth causing significant pain and even damage. Check with your dentist first for an exam and cleaning before attempting any teeth whitening treatment.
- Expecting to achieve optimum whitening through the use of whitening mouthwashes can be damaging due to high alcohol content, and are also unlikely to give the result you desire.
- Patients who ignore directions and leave teeth whitening strips on too long, potentially causing splotchy teeth and increased sensitivity. It is also recommended you use at-home teeth whitening systems no more than twice a year. Trying to get your teeth too white by overdoing whitening can cause them to lose their healthy sheen.
- Patients who use “natural” teeth whitening products or systems not approved by the FDA are at risk, as they can contain damaging chemicals causing problems for your teeth and overall health. It is important to check that any treatment you are planning to use is approved by the FDA to ensure the safety of your smile.
- If you have porcelain or composite dental crowns or bonding, teeth whitening products will not change their color. By changing the color of the teeth around them, they will no longer match, and you may end up with an uneven smile.
A great smile can have lasting impressions, and teeth whitening can be an effective and quick way to achieve a bright new smile. However, avoiding these mistakes is crucial to achieving the best results. Contact your dentist to discuss the best options for beautifying your smile through teeth whitening.
