A beautiful white smile has been all the rage since teeth whitening products were released to the public 20+ years ago. Commercials and magazine covers flaunt flawless smiles that are brilliantly white, giving many the impression that you can never have teeth that are too white. This misconception put forth by the media leads to many people causing significant damage to their teeth because of the manner in which they try to whiten their own smiles.
Teeth whitening mistakes can be mild, but they can also be damaging with lasting effects. Group Health Dental wants to help you avoid these common teeth whitening mistakes:
- Not talking with your dentist first. Many people forget that the dentist is the ultimate source of information regarding the health of their teeth. Before beginning any type of whitening product on your teeth, it is essential that your teeth are healthy enough to undergo whitening treatment. Incorrect usage of at-home whitening kits, strips, gels, or toothpastes can lead to extreme tooth sensitivity and can cause any type of decay within the mouth to worsen. Unhealthy teeth will never achieve the whiteness results you are after.
- Overuse of teeth whitening strips. Teeth whitening strips are a billion-dollar business, with more and more people using them every year. These strips offer convenience and a “quick fix” for those who do not have severe discoloration of their teeth. However, because of the convenience these strips provide, many people overuse them and harm their tooth enamel. Leaving whitening strips on for too long and/or using them too often will begin to weaken the tooth enamel. These strips must be used as directed, and should be approved by your dentist.
- One-size-fits-all over the counter whitening kits. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all mouth. Every mouth of every human being has its own shape, size, and contour. Even siblings within the same family have unique characteristics to their own mouths that make them different. Using a one-size-fits-all tray from the drug store will not provide you with the results that you are hoping for. Whitening kits that use a tray must have customized trays that will fit to the specific contours of your teeth in order to achieve optimal and even results.
- Bleaching too often. Many people have become addicted to whitening their teeth. They think that every time they enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine that they must whiten their teeth. This leads to the over use of whitening products that can deteriorate the health of your teeth. Lifestyle changes (e.g. giving up coffee or wine) are more helpful.
At Group Health Dental we want you to have a smile that you are proud of, and we want to help you achieve it with safe, effective methods. If you want to whiten your smile, please contact our practice today. We offer convenient and dramatic results.
