What You Should Know About Over the Counter (OTC) Teeth Whitening
Who doesn’t want pearly white teeth? But teeth often become darker, going from white to off-white or even yellow, with age. And this discoloration is especially the case as a result of frequently drinking coffee or tea, eating foods that readily stain such as blueberries, or smoking cigarettes or using other tobacco products. Teeth whiteners to the rescue.
However, many people may have unrealistic expectations for how teeth whiteners work. For example, if you have a crown or implant, these restorations will not whiten as your natural teeth would.
In addition, you may not realize that teeth whitening is not necessarily a benign procedure, especially when done at home using over-the-counter (OTC) kits. Typically, like whitening done in the dentist’s office, the home kits rely on a peroxide compound as a bleaching agent, though in a much lower concentration, which can still cause problems. That’s why anyone who is planning to whiten their teeth at home should first have a thorough dental exam since any untreated cavities could allow the whitening chemicals to penetrate into the tooth and increase sensitivity. And teeth that are already very sensitive to heat, cold or sugar can become even more sensitive with teeth whitening. Plus, any sort of gum disease, such as gingivitis, can worsen in terms of bleeding and inflammation should the whitening chemicals migrate to the sensitive gum tissue. Furthermore, frequently whitening your teeth can lead to erosion of your tooth enamel, especially if the enamel is already worn. And, once enamel is eroded, it not only puts the tooth at a greater for a cavity, but worn enamel does not regenerate.
Before purchasing an OTC whitening product, see your dentist. And, better yet, have your teeth professionally whitened by your dentist. Though in-office teeth whitening is more expensive than using an OTC whitening product, it’s more controlled and less likely to cause adverse effects.
Safe Methods For Whitening Your Teeth
The safest and most efficient way to whiten your teeth is to have them professionally whitened by your dentist. We believe that white teeth not only enhance your smile, but make you feel more confident. Our office offers different whitening treatments depending on the results you wish to achieve. All options on the market to whiten your teeth come with pros but also potentially extremely dangerous cons, so its best to work with your dentist to find the best option for you.
If you're concerned about the yellow appearance of your teeth make an appointment with Dr. Farinas-Han, at Smiles by Bergen Dental, and schedule a consultation. Dr. Farinas-Han will ensure your safety and help you decide the best route to achieve the pearly white smile you’ve always wanted. Smiles by Bergen Dental is conveniently located in Midland Park New Jersey, within minutes from Ridgewood, Wyckoff, Glen Rock, Paramus, Ramsey, Allendale, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, and Franklin Lakes.
