Is Whitening Bad For Your Teeth?

Most people would love to improve the color of their teeth, but they are not sure if whitening products can make matters worse over time. Teeth tend to become yellower as a person ages, and are also stained by the things we consume daily.

Good oral hygiene goes a long way when it comes to keeping teeth white and healthy, but that often is not enough to keep them sparkling over the course of an entire lifetime. The cumulative effects of drinking beverages like coffee, red wine and tea — or bad habits like smoking — will drastically change the appearance of a person's teeth over time.

Why Use Whitening Products?

Once upon a time, teeth whitening treatments used to be something only celebrities could afford. Things have changed quite a lot: There are now a variety of whitening products that fit any budget.

Reasons why a person may want to get their teeth whitened include:

• Improving the appearance of their smile
• Removing embarrassing stains
• Improving their overall appearance since teeth are one of the most noticeable parts of a person's appearance
• Giving teeth a uniform appearance

Why Teeth Become Stained

The enamel that protects a person's teeth forms when the person is a fetus. The enamel provides the white color teeth. Teeth appear a lot brighter when a person is younger since they have had limited exposure to the things that can ruin the color of their teeth.

Over the years, the things the person consumes will alter the color of their teeth.

Enamel wears away as people get older and this reveals the dark tissues that surround the blood vessels and nerves in teeth. There is no way to restore lost enamel and teeth often begin to develop a grayish color.

Is Teeth Whitening Unsafe?

Teeth whitening procedures are not dangerous in any way. The bleaching agents used can lead to teeth sensitivity since they open up the tiny channels in teeth. This is what makes it possible for the bleach to penetrate the tooth and whiten it.

Tooth sensitivity can be prevented by using a whitener that contains potassium nitrate.

Those who decide to bleach their teeth using over-the-counter products should avoid purchasing low-quality products. Some of these can be abrasive and they can weaken teeth enamel.

Best Way to Whiten Teeth

While there are a variety of over-the-counter products that can be used to whiten teeth, nothing compares to professional whitening treatments performed by an oral professional. Dentists have access to solutions that are significantly stronger than anything that can be purchased over-the-counter, which can lead to significant results after a single session. Teeth can be up to 10 shades brighter after a single whitening treatment.

With a professional whitening treatment, patients can be assured that all necessary precautions are being taken, so there is very little chance of any negative side effects.

Not feeling particularly proud about the appearance of your teeth? Set up a consultation with one of our dentists and explore your options.

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Request an appointment in our Walnut Creek dentist office here: https://www.dentistrywalnutcreek.com.