Who doesn’t like a mouth full of pearly whites? Teeth whitening has been around since the early 1980s as a safe and affordable option for brightening any smile––the combination of carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide-based chemicals is applied to the mouth, enhancing the appearance of the patient’s teeth.
Teeth whitening is as popular as ever, and with the universal storewide convenience, from special toothpaste to whitening kits, it can be difficult to know where to begin––or to begin at all. Want to know whether teeth whitening is for you? Read on to discover more!
What is Teeth Whitening?
The American Association of Orthodontists found that nearly 90% of patients requested tooth whitening. The entire process refers to the bleaching and lightening the color of human teeth. Whitening is typically desired when a tooth or teeth become dulled or yellowed and is achieved by changing the color of the tooth enamel.
What Leads to a Deteriorated Smile?
We like coffee just as much as the next person, so we understand the desire to keep your teeth looking fresh. Acidic foods and drinks, age, tobacco use, and medicine can contribute to a dulled smile. These things have a tendency to affect tooth enamel, dentin, and stain the outer layer of your teeth.
What Are My Options?
As always, you want to start a dialogue with your dentist to see if you and your teeth are a good candidate for teeth whitening.
Teeth whitening can start with ADA-approved stain removing toothpaste and at-home bleaching kits, to in-office bleaching and over-the-counter bleaching products.
Pro #1: Radiancy
Whiter smiles tend to translate into more smiles. A smile tends to generate a level of confidence in the smiler and instills a happy disposition in others. It’s commonly true that a person is more likely to trust someone else if they boast a vibrant smile.
Pro #2: Affordability
With a number of options available today, teeth whitening is truly for anyone. There are several at-home treatments one can purchase that are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at almost any local store or mart. While limited in their effectiveness, and lasting duration, for a few days of whiter smiles, these might just do the trick.
Pro #3: Possibility
As mentioned above, you have a number of options at your disposal. From the couch to the dentist chair, it just depends on what you want, and how much you want to invest.
Con #1: Sensitivity
Thought ice cream was cold on your teeth already? Some teeth whitening treatments can cause temporarily heightened sensitivity to foods and drinks. This will fade, but patients with already sensitive teeth may find whitening a temporarily painful process.
Con #2: Uniformity
Unfortunately, crowns and other tooth caps won’t change their color. These are unnatural materials placed over a tooth or teeth to prevent further damage to the affected area. If you don’t want discolored teeth, maybe whitening isn’t for you––something like porcelain veneers might be a better option.
Con #3: Sustainability
Last, but not least, is the impermanence of whitening. Teeth whitening is a good solution, but an incomplete one. If your teeth are stained, teeth whitening is only helpful insofar as you can afford or desire continued treatment.
Schedule Your Appointment Today!
At Rominger Dental, our primary goal is to make every single patient feel at ease. We know that no one looks forward to going to the dentist, but we go above and beyond to make your dental experience as pleasant as possible.
With our capable team of dentists, we know just what to do to prevent, manage, and correct dental pain.
Are you ready to schedule with us? Call today at (304)842-2375 or schedule a future appointment at romingerdental.com.