For those of us who enjoy c
offee, teas, and dark-colored berries, we are often left hoping for a brighter smile with whiter teeth. There are many over-the-counter and DIY bleaching treatments available in drugstores, salons and boutiques, and even online. We are a society who loves immediate gratification. There are a few things to think about before whitening your teeth in a DIY fashion that does not involve your dentist.
The OTC whitening options often provide “trays” or “strips” containing whitening agents, usually a peroxide component. The trays or strips are not made specifically for your mouth; they are stock trays/strips marketed with claims to fit everyone. The mouth is not a “one-size-fits-all” situation. This means that the whitening agent will not be evenly distributed on your teeth and the result may be a splotchy effect. Also, the gums are not protected from the whitening agent, which can cause white patches on the gums and pain and/or gum sensitivity. In general, there may be excess whitening agent that ends up overflowing from the tray/strips. These OTC strips often do not contain as high of concentrations of whitening agent which would be available from your dentist. Often, because of the lower concentration and the poorer tray fit, these products may not be as effective.
It’s best to visit your dentist for a comprehensive dental and oral evaluation before beginning any dental whitening process. The dentist should check you for any tooth decay, as whitening the teeth with untreated decay can cause extreme sensitivity or pain. Additionally, if you have any gum recession, getting whitening agent on these areas can be very painful. Your dentist can take measures to prevent these problems, such as making custom trays made specifically to the shape of your teeth, and/or applying a desensitizing agent or a restoration as needed to these areas prior to treatment. Also, the strength of whitening agent can be customized for you by your dentist; discolored teeth can have MANY causes- traditional teeth whitening will not fix all causes of discoloration, so it’s important to identify the cause of discoloration and tailor the treatment accordingly.
Additionally, it’s important to note that if you have any crowns, caps, veneers, or bonding, these will NOT whiten. It’s important to address these areas and make sure your treatment plan developed by you and your dentist will have the desired final outcome for your smile.
Most dental offices offer both a professional at-home and an in-office whitening option, depending on patient needs and desires. For best results, visit your dentist to make sure that you have a healthy oral environment, including teeth, gums, and soft tissues, prior to beginning your whitening procedure.
At Weimer Family Dentistry, we can help develop a teeth whitening plan that works for YOU!
Happy New Year!
Weimer Family Dentistry proudly serves the Northshore and surrounding areas (Mandeville, Covington, Madisonville, Abita Springs, Slidell, New Orleans.) Weimer Family Dentistry offers a full range of dental services, including family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, implants, dentures, crowns, bridges, whitening, and even biologic dentistry. Weimer Family Dentistry is located at 807 Asbury Dr. in Mandeville, LA (985) 727-1800. weimerfamilydentistry.com Patrick Weimer, D.D.S. and Leigh Flattmann, D.D.S.