Are you thinking of getting your teeth whitened? Do you want to know more about teeth whitening? Let’s be honest, everyone wants to have a beautiful and bright smile. Without a doubt, teeth whitening is one of the most affordable and popular dental treatments. Many people think that teeth whitening is a simple procedure that can be performed using over the counter products. However, this is just a misconception. These products cannot offer the same result as professional treatment.
Since teeth are crucial for everyone, you should not take any risk. If you are still unsure whether you should get teeth whitening treatment from a professional or not, we are here to help you. Today, we have answered some of the most commonly asked questions about teeth whitening. Read on to know more teeth whitening.
Will insurance cover the cost of the teeth whitening process?
Dental insurance doesn’t cover the cost of teeth whitening procedures.
How long will the teeth whitening last?
For those who don’t know, teeth whitening is not permanent. The effects of whitening can last from a month to a year or longer. This depends on the food and beverages you take. If you will take food and beverages that cause staining, whitening might not last for a long time, mostly as little as a month. However, if you don’t eat stain-causing food and beverages, it can last for a year.
Should I visit a dentist for teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is considered one of the main cosmetic dentistry procedures by many experienced dentists, so if you want to get the best results, it is better to visit a cosmetic dentist.
Are the teeth whitening products sold over the counter bad for oral health?
Yes, many of the products contain harmful chemicals that might damage your gums and teeth. Some of them might not even work.
Do teeth whiteners cause damage to the tooth enamel?
In studies, it was shown that teeth whitening products containing 10% carbamide peroxide had no effect on the mineral content or hardness of the enamel.
Is there any chance that teeth whitener will damage a nerve?
There is no proof that teeth whitening causes damage to a tooth’s nerve. In a study, it was found that after a follow up at 4.5-year and 7-year, no one showed any sign to get a root canal procedure.
Will teeth whiteners damage the current dental restorations?
The teeth whitening products that contain 10% carbamide peroxide didn’t show any type of damage to fillings. It will not lighten other restorations like veneers, crowns, tooth-colored fillings, bridges, and bonding. This will mean that existing dental work might need to be replaced because of the new tooth color.
How to tell if the teeth whitening treatment is good for me?
When you don’t like the color of your teeth, you can get it whitened. The first step is to get your teeth examined. The dentist will do a dental examination with the help of X-rays. This is to get to the root cause of discoloration. For those who don’t know, the color of your teeth should match the whites of your eye.
Why should I not get my teeth whiten?
A dental examination is done prior to teeth whitening procedure to see if there is any treatment that you need. For instance, common causes of tooth discoloration might be abscess or root canal issues, or decay. If this is the case, then bleaching your teeth will not solve the problem.
Moreover, you have to focus on aesthetics as well. In case you have visible fillings or exposed tooth roots. Teeth whitening is not an ideal option because it will not bleach these things. In such circumstances, you might want to consider other dental treatments.
What will happen during the teeth whitening procedure?
When you visit the dental clinic for getting your teeth whitened, the first step will be wearing a tray. It will cover your teeth with a special whitening gel. The dentist will then use some kind of light to improve the whitening effects of the gel. Usually, it will take up to one hour.
How will the whitening last longer?
There are numerous ways through which you can make sure your whitening effect lasts longer. You should not eat or drink any food item that causes a stain. These might include soda, tomato-based products, tea, coffee, and berries.
In case you do take any of these items, it is advised to brush and rinse your mouth afterward. In addition, you can brush your teeth twice and get biannual dental cleanings. This will not let stain gather on your teeth.
Hence, teeth whitening is a simple and safe procedure if performed by a dental professional. This will help in getting back your lost smile.
