These days, more patients than ever before are opting to receive treatments like teeth whitening to brighten their smiles and send their confidence soaring! That said, did you know that certain whitening products can actually harm your teeth if you aren’t careful? Here’s what you need to know about teeth whitening and the consequences that can occur if you’re using these products on decayed teeth or in the presence of other oral health issues – as well as why it’s always best to trust your dentist to whiten your smile.
Why You Should Address Dental Issues Prior to Whitening
Simply put, you should never try to whiten your teeth if you’re suffering from dental issues like cavities or decay. Think about how houses are built – painting and decorating come at the very end of the process, once the house’s foundation has been solidly built and reinforced. It would make no sense to paint the materials being used to construct the house before the actual project – things would end up looking sloppy! It also doesn’t make sense to paint over damaged walls or surfaces, since the paint won’t actually repair the damage.
The same can be said for your teeth; if you were to whiten a tooth with a cavity, you wouldn’t actually be doing anything for the tooth’s structure. In fact, what’s worse is that teeth whitening treatments involve bleaching chemicals that target stains on the outer layer of the teeth, the enamel – the very same layer that can sustain heavy damage from tooth decay. A tooth with a cavity can end up being severely irritated after whitening, or even permanently damaged.
Why Should I Trust My Dentist for Teeth Whitening?
The good news is that having tooth decay doesn’t automatically disqualify a patient from getting teeth whitening treatments; it simply means the decay will need to be addressed beforehand! The go-to solution for addressing a cavity is a filling, which involves your dentist carefully removing any damaged tissues from the tooth before restoring the lost volume with a biocompatible, natural-looking material. In some cases, a root canal can be performed to future-proof the tooth.
Once all tooth decay has been addressed, you can move forward with teeth whitening, and your dentist can also help you with this. Their options will be much more effective, not to mention safer, than anything you can buy yourself at the store. Plus, knowing that your teeth are perfectly healthy going into this treatment is another huge advantage – this peace of mind will encourage you to take great care of your bright new smile!
About the Practice
Our team here at Winthrop Street Dentistry has proudly served the dental needs of patients and families in the Worcester, MA community for several years. We proudly offer a vast range of dental services, including confidence-inspiring cosmetic solutions like teeth whitening. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with us to set up an appointment, please reach out online or call today for more information. Telephone: (508) 756-0990.