Mythbusting: Teeth Whitening – What You Need To Know
Making your smile brighter is something most of us have considered (or even tried) at least once in our lives. Having a gorgeous set of pearly whites can help build someone’s confidence and overall self-esteem, so it’s a natural choice for those who want to look and feel their best.
When it comes to teeth whitening, there are many options available and plenty of advice coming from all sides, so it’s important to be able to cut through the noise and find out the facts. Let’s go ahead and bust a few of the biggest teeth whitening myths to help you make a more educated decision for you and your smile.
Myth #1: Whitening toothpaste is just as effective as cosmetic whitening
While a whitening toothpaste can appear to lighten your teeth a little by removing surface stains from smoking or drinking coffee, it can’t change the natural color of your teeth or lighten any stain that is deeper than your tooth’s surface. Of course, brushing daily with any toothpaste is great, and will help keep your teeth from getting worse. The truth is that a $5 tube of toothpaste will not give you the results as an in-office whitening procedure with your dentist.
Fact: Whitening toothpastes can contain both special chemicals and polishing agents to remove stains, which can lead to teeth and gum sensitivity and damage the tooth enamel over time if overused.
Myth #2: Teeth whitening is a one-time procedure
The fact is that one teeth whitening session will, unfortunately, not last forever. As with a lot of self-care treatments, it’s a look you have to maintain, but depending on your method, you can have a good amount of time between whitening appointments. If you get your teeth whitened by a dental professional at a dentist’s office, your treatment can last up to 3 years, with a touch-up after about a year.
Most teeth whitening treatments will need touch-ups. At-home kits may need repeated applications after about 3 months, and can cause damage to your enamel and/or gums if used incorrectly. Results will vary depending on your lifestyle habits as well. Smoking and drinking coffee are big factors in teeth discoloration and that means more frequent whitening treatments.
Myth #3: In-Office Teeth Whitening causes damage to tooth enamel
Dentin, the main portion of your tooth, is the part responsible for your teeth’s color. When you whiten your teeth, the gel/solution travels through the tooth to the dentin and starts to lighten the stained layer. Done correctly, whitening will not damage your enamel at all. The ADA even conducted a study that specifically determined that approved whitening methods and agents will not harm your tooth enamel as long as it is done safely and professionally.
Fun Fact: Tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in your body! It is even harder than BONE!
Myth #4: Active charcoal whitens teeth
This one is flat out false In fact, according to the ADA, activated charcoal might actually even harm your teeth rather than whiten them due to the abrasive texture of the charcoal, which stands to weaken your enamel and expose the dentin beneath. As with a lot of hyped-up new products, even though there is no real scientific evidence the charcoal whitening works, there are several blogs online that tout it as a miracle whitener. When in doubt, always consult with your dentist before going forward with any whitening routine. Your smile will thank you.
Myth #5: You can whiten veneers, fillings, and crowns
This is simply not the case, as these products are not natural teeth, and therefore cannot be whitened. If you have old-fashioned silver fillings in your mouth, your dentist can replace them with modern tooth-colored bonding material. Remember, only natural teeth can be whitened, so don’t trust any product that claims to whiten your previous veneers. It’s always best to read up about any new product on the ADA website and consult your dentist with any questions you may have.
Learning the truth about all the many products that tout drastic teeth whitening measures is imperative to not only saving time and money, but also the health of your teeth. It is recommended by experts and studies alike to always go to a professional dentist to make sure you are getting the best tooth whitening treatment possible.
Now’s the time to brighten your smile!
Mountain and Sea Dental takes a holistic approach to dentistry for you and your smile. We recognize that every system in your body is connected and we aim to offer outstanding whole person oral care that takes your body and health into consideration.
We listen to your health goals and work with you to chart a holistic treatment that will take into account nutrition and overall dental health.
Whether you’re a retiree or a busy family, we’re here to help you reach your oral health goals. Going to the dentist doesn’t have to be painful. Schedule an appointment today!