Everything You Want To Know About Teeth Whitening – Top 10 Teeth Whitening Questions Answered

If you feel that your teeth are in need of whitening, do you go ahead and buy whitening products from the market or think about it first? We recommend thinking about it first and consulting with your dentist before you take the step. You may or may not be suitable for teeth whitening; that’s something you need to consider, apart from a number of other questions that need answering before you make your decision. Here’s everything you wanted to know about teeth whitening, directly from the top dentists in Livonia, MI.

1. Will My Teeth Hurt When I Whiten Them?

If you have sensitive teeth, you may experience mild sensitivity either during the whitening process or after it. If you’re extra sensitive, the sensitivity should settle down in about 48 hours. We recommend that you avoid hot or cold drinks and food for at least 48 hours of your teeth whitening treatment.

2. Is Teeth Whitening Successful and How Long Does It Last?

Teeth whitening does work as per expectations if done by a trained dental professional. If anyone other than a trained dentist does your teeth, it would be considered illegal. As for how long it can last, an in-surgery teeth whitening process can take 2 to 6 weeks for completion.

3. What Is The Difference Between Over the Counter Treatments Versus In-House Treatments?

The over the counter whitening treatments you can purchase contain only contain 0.1% of hydrogen peroxide. Levels higher than that are dangerous and it is considered illegal and dangerous to sell teeth whitening kits that contain greater than 0.1% of hydrogen peroxide. In-house whitening treatments can contain anywhere from 1 to 6% of hydrogen peroxide. Such whitening treatments must be conducted at a dentist’s office and your suitability for treatment must be evaluated first by a trained dental professional.

4. How Do I Know If I Am suitable for whitening?

If you have any dental issues such as gum disease, cavities, broken teeth, exposed nerves and so on, you are not suitable for dental whitening treatment. Your dentist will assess your suitability before sitting you down for a whitening treatment. Do a thorough evaluation before you decide to brighten your teeth.

5. How White Will My Teeth Be?

Teeth whitening results vary from person to person. Also, the end result depends very much on the type of whitening system you use or your dentist uses. Consult with your dentist and evaluate your teeth’s present shade against the shade card. Your dentist will be able to point out approximately the shade that you’re most likely to achieve, considering how white your teeth are at the given moment.

6. Will Whitening Affect My Dental Restorations?

Teeth whitening treatments do not interfere with restorative work such as fillings, crowns and veneers. However, be sure to present your dental professional with all your previous restorative work records so that he or she can evaluate your suitability for teeth whitening. For example, if your dental restorative work is still under progress and not fully done, you might not be suitable for dental whitening, as in some cases whitening can weaken the bonds applied to crowns and veneers.

7. How To Make Stains Go Away?

The stain on your teeth will definitely impact your teeth whitening process and results. For example, yellow teeth will respond best to bleaching. Brown-coloured stains are very difficult to remove as they don’t respond readily to bleach. Purple or grey stains might not respond at all or may take several sittings to lessen. Several factors affect the results of teeth whitening, such as dental health, stain type, concentration of bleach and duration of treatment.

8. Do I Need To Get My Whitening Redone?

That depends on how well you take care of your teeth. For example, if you refrain from eating stain-causing foods, you will be able to retain your teeth’s whiteness longer. If you consume stain-causing food and drinks, you will need to visit your dentist for touch-ups. Even then your teeth whitening is likely to last you for a year before it starts to look less white and you need a touch-up.

9. Are These Products Safe and Effective?

Teeth bleaching products sold at professional dentists’ offices and professional dental service departments come with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. This seal designates the products as not only safe but effective. Over-the-counter teeth whitening products have not received this seal of acceptance, though several whitening toothpastes have done so.

10. Does Teeth Whitening Carry Risks?

Teeth whitening does not come with major risks, though even the best whitening procedures can cause minor side effects. Tooth sensitivity and irritation of the mouth’s soft tissues are quite common. However, this irritation disappears quickly. If you’re sensitive, then it’s best you undertake this treatment at a dental office.