If these common teeth whitening myths are making you live with stained teeth, it is time to conquer your uncertainties and get the bright smile you have always wanted.
Food, drinks, medications, and even genetics play a role in the development of stains on your teeth. As your teeth absorb stain-causing pigments through their microscopic pores, your teeth can turn a dingy yellow, brown, or gray color. Unfortunately, common teeth whitening myths may be causing you to live with a faded smile, eroding your self-esteem and affecting your social life. The following information debunks these misconceptions so you can restore your smile with safe and effective teeth whitening in Little Rock.
Myth: Repeated Whitening Damages Enamel
The myth that teeth whitening can harm the enamel of your teeth is false. While at-home teeth whitening can be dangerous, professional whitening formulas applied by a qualified dentist in Little Rock do not damage the enamel in any way. Thepores in the enamelare gently opened up so that dental bleaching agents can reach the stains beneath the surface of your teeth. About two days after the whitening procedure is complete, the pores close back up, leaving the enamel in its original state.
Myth: Stains Occur Faster After Whitening
The myth that teeth whitening will make your teeth more susceptible to staining is mostly untrue. In the first couple days after whitening, you must avoid foods and beverages with dark pigments, such as coffee and berries. After the pores in your enamel close, your teeth will retain their newly whitened color. You can protect your teeth from future stains by using a straw when drinking beverages and rinsing your mouth with water after eating.
Myth: Extreme Sensitivity Is Unavoidable
The myth that teeth whitening causes unavoidable sensitivity is false. In the past, people with sensitive teeth could not undergo whitening procedures due to an increase in tooth pain afterward. Fortunately, modern toothpaste formulas can keep your sensitivity levels low. For the best results, you should start using sensitivity-reducing toothpaste about two weeks before undergoing teeth whitening in Little Rock.
Myth: Professional Formulas Make Teeth Too White
The myth that teeth whitening can make your smile unnaturally white is false. The fear of obtaining extremely bright, white teeth through professional whitening often causes people to consider questionable treatments at home. You do not have to go to dangerous lengths to obtain the shade you want. Your dentist will help you select a shade that will look natural and attractive alongside your skin tone and lip color. You may also bring in an older picture of yourself to match your original tooth color to a shade on awhitening chart.
Myth: Whitening Is Time Consuming
The myth that teeth whitening will take up a significant amount of time on your calendar is mostly false. Unless your teeth are seriously stained, teeth whitening procedures only take 15 minutes a day for two weeks. Extending the session length could leave bright white splotches on your teeth, so it is crucial to only receive teeth whitening treatments from a dental professional you can trust.
Teeth Whitening in Little Rock
If you still have any uncertainties about teeth whitening, discuss them with your dentist. Since its inception in the early1980s, teeth whitening has undergone numerous developments, making the procedure faster, safer, and more efficient than ever.
If you are interested in teeth whitening in Little Rock, contact Arkansas Family Dental at 501-683-8886 to schedule an appointment. Our professional staff can answer your questions and help you obtain the bright, white smile you have always wanted.
FAQs
It's a myth that you can safely whiten teeth with lemon juice and baking soda. Unlike toothpaste, baking soda is abrasive and will wear away your tooth enamel over time. Likewise, lemon juice is too acidic to sit on the surface of your teeth.
Why do dentists not recommend teeth whitening? ›
Tooth and gum sensitivity and pain
Store-bought products may contain abrasive substances like hydrogen peroxide, which can be effective if used minimally, but in large doses can cause erosion of teeth's enamel and shrinkage of the gums.
Why is it not good to whiten your teeth? ›
However, teeth whitening treatments can cause damage to the enamel if not done correctly or overused. Enamel damage can lead to increased sensitivity, pain, and white spots on your teeth. It's essential to consult with a dentist before using any teeth whitening products to ensure they're safe for your teeth.
Is there anything bad about teeth whitening? ›
What are the risks of teeth whitening? No matter what treatment you use, there's a chance your gums will be sensitive to the chemicals used in teeth whitening, particularly if you already have sensitive teeth. There's also a chance of burns to gums and some of the whitening kits used at home can harm tooth enamel.
What is the bad side of teeth whitening? ›
The potential side effects of teeth whitening include teeth sensitivity, gum irritation, and ineffective results. However, most patients do not experience any notable side effects from professional teeth whitening, as the dentist can monitor the process and perform treatment in a way that minimizes risk.
How to whiten yellow teeth naturally? ›
The following strategies may help whiten teeth:
- Making dietary changes. Eliminating foods that mark the teeth can prevent further staining. ...
- Trying oil pulling. ...
- Brushing with baking soda. ...
- Using hydrogen peroxide. ...
- Whitening with fruit. ...
- Chewing high fiber foods.
Baking soda can be used with some water to remove the stains on the surface of the teeth. It can also be used with hydrogen peroxide to enhance its whitening effects. Baking soda can be used by individuals with regular toothpastes too. It is also used commercially in some teeth whitening products and toothpastes.
What is the best thing to whiten your teeth with? ›
If you're looking for long-lasting results, Bianca Velayo, DMD of Green Valley Smiles Dentistry, recommends looking for peroxide-based products if you're hoping to whiten tooth enamel. You can opt for either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide as both will reverse internal and external stains on teeth, she notes.
What is the best method to whiten teeth? ›
Tooth whitening is most often done using peroxide-based bleaching agents. At-home systems contain from 3% to 20% peroxide (carbamide or hydrogen peroxides). In-office systems contain from 15% to 43% peroxide. Generally, the stronger the solution and the longer you keep it on your teeth, the whiter your teeth become.
How do people get their teeth so white? ›
The most common approach dentists use for brightening teeth is professional teeth whitening. It entails bleaching teeth enamel to remove surface and intrinsic stains.
It's natural for teeth to appear darker as they age, but a bleaching product with hydrogen peroxide or urea peroxide can help turn back the clock – and a whitening toothpaste is an easy way to get a jump-start.
Who should not get their teeth whitened? ›
If you are allergic to peroxide, you will not be able to have your teeth whitened, since peroxide is the active ingredient in whitening systems. If you have a lot of fillings, dental bonding or crowns, you may not be a candidate for dental whitening.
Is crest teeth whitening safe? ›
Is crest whitestrips safe? Crest 3D Glamorous Whitestrips is approved by the American Dental Association, and are considered safe when used occasionally and in moderation. If used incorrectly or too frequently, this product may cause damage to your gums and teeth.
Is 6% hydrogen peroxide safe for teeth whitening? ›
Choose the right concentration: A low concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide (around 3% to 6%) is safe to use for teeth whitening usually without any side effects. Hydrogen Peroxide can produce certain side effects like gum or tooth sensitivity if used often in high concentration.
How often should I whiten my teeth? ›
How often teeth whitening treatments are recommended by dentists. Professional teeth whitening performed in the dentist's office is recommended once every year to every 18 months, depending on how long the results last. At-home kits can be used as often as once every four to six months.
What type of teeth cannot be whitened? ›
Teeth that have yellowed with age
Dentin is naturally yellowish and cannot be lightened with teeth whitening products.
Who is not a good candidate for teeth whitening? ›
Those who are suffering from periodontal disease, oral cancer, or who have enamel that is excessively worn down to not make good candidates for teeth whitening either. Most other patients should not have a problem.
Is professional teeth whitening bad for your enamel? ›
Studies have shown that professional teeth whitening does not harm enamel. But that doesn't mean your concerns with enamel end there. People will thin enamel on their teeth might not be good candidates for professional teeth whitening.
