Teeth Whitening Methods to Avoid
We all want a brighter, whiter and healthier smile. While you might be considering at-home whitening methods, there are certain things you should avoid to prevent damage to your teeth that could contribute to sensitivity. It is always best to have your teeth whitened professionally, since we are able to monitor your results and prevent sensitivity from becoming an issue.
Here are some of the most common teeth whitening methods to avoid:
Over-Whitening
It can be tempting to over-whiten your teeth, especially if the products you’re using at home aren’t delivering the results that you are looking to achieve. However, it’s best to only whiten your teeth once every six to 12 months. If you whiten too often, you’ll notice that your teeth become very sensitive and may even take on a “transparent” look to them.
Trying to Whiten Restorations
Most restorations cannot be whitened, even with the most state-of-the-art professional whitening systems. If you have veneers, crowns, fillings, bridges, dentures or bonding, these teeth will not whiten when using these products. However, you can and should consider whitening before having new restorations placed so that everything matches properly.
Strawberry and Lemon Juice
Strawberries and lemon juice have long been used as home remedies for whiter and brighter teeth. While these methods work in the short-term, they are incredibly damaging to the enamel of your teeth. The fruit acids in lemon juice and strawberries can break down the enamel, making your teeth more susceptible to decay and wear.
Product Combining
When you whiten your teeth, you can and should seek only one treatment to use at a time unless otherwise recommended by a professional. Using multiple products at home can cause issues with severe sensitivity and enamel wear. An example of product combining may include whitening strips, a whitening pen as well as a whitening system that utilizes a light to accelerate results used all at the same time.
Abrasive Scrubs
It might be tempting to try to get rid of stains and discoloration using abrasive scrubs, but this can wear down your enamel and cause small fissures and cracks in the teeth. Examples of abrasive scrubs might include salt and baking soda. These scrubs can cause microscopic abrasions on the teeth, making them more prone to tooth decay and future staining.
If you’re looking to professionally whiten your teeth, call our office today and we will be happy to answer all of your questions.
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