What are the Risks of Teeth Whitening?
Before exploring teeth whitening maple grove minnesota solutions, it is important to understand what personal habits or circumstances are putting you at greater risk for your teeth becoming darkened or yellowed. The most common culprits for this issue are poor or improper oral health care, the use of tobacco, or frequent indulgence in teeth staining foods and beverages, such as tea, coffee, or wine. Teeth staining can also be caused by certain kinds of medications. Once you are able to source the cause of the issue, you may be able to take additional measures to correct the problem.
Risks Associated with Teeth Whitening
In order to determine if teeth whitening is right for you, it will be necessary to schedule an examination with your dentist. If teeth whitening is suggested as a viable treatment option, be sure to discuss the risks associated before you commit to having the process done.
Teeth whitening is generally a safe procedure that is a viable option for many patients, but there are certain risks involved. The most common risks involved are the possibility of damaging the roots of your teeth or experiencing discomfort due to tooth sensitivity. Patients who do have teeth sensitivity may benefit from special toothpastes that are designed to help reduce discomfort.
For patients who are considering an at home teeth whitening treatment versus an in-office treatment, there is an increased risk of damage occurring because your dentist will not be able to evaluate if you are administering the treatment properly. Additionally, at home treatments are not as effective as in-office, which means results may not be as significant and treatment will have to occur more frequently.
Is it Worth the Risk?
When considering the benefits versus the drawbacks of having your teeth whitened professionally or opting for over the counter treatments, it is important to be aware of the risks and rewards of either approach.
For people for whom affordability is the most important factor, at home treatments such as over-the-counter specialty whitening toothpastes, mouthwashes, or strips are an option. Although this approach will save you money, it is recommended to have your teeth professionally whitened for the following reasons.
- Safer: While over the counter products are convenient and generally not dangerous, there is an added benefit to having a professionally trained dentist administer your whitening trays, especially for patients with sensitive teeth or periodontal disease.
- Faster: Over the counter items will gradually improve the whiteness of your teeth, but the process will take considerably longer than having the whitening performed in the office. In general, over the counter products can take up to four weeks for noticeable improvements to be made, as opposed to in-office whitening, which can generally be performed in one to two hours.
- Stronger: In-office bleaching agents are significantly more concentrated, which results in faster and longer lasting results, when compared to over the counter items.
If you do have your teeth whitened, it is also important to remember that this is not a permanent solution. The best way to keep and maintain your healthy white teeth is to continue practicing good oral habits and scheduling regular visits to your dentist, which will improve your overall oral health and decrease the risk of staining from occurring again.
More About Teeth Whitening : How much does teeth whitening cost?