Teeth Whitening: Safe or Sorry?

Teeth Whitening: Safe or Sorry?

We all want that beautiful, sparkling smile, and a lot of that originates with white teeth. There are so many different ways to go about whitening your teeth, from over-the-counter trays and strips to treatments with lasers in your dentists’ office. That said, there’s a right and a wrong way to go about whitening your teeth.

Before you do anything, see your dentist. Your stains might be superficial, and in that case sometimes a good cleaning will do the trick. Whitening your teeth can be dangerous to your enamel, so if it’s possible to get whiter teeth with a deep clean, do that first. Additionally, a visit to your dentist will make sure your teeth are healthy and cavity-free.

If your teeth are still stained, ask your dentist for an over-the-counter system that he/she recommends and how much it might do for you overall. Sometimes our teeth darken with age, and whitening strips can’t do much to change that.

Once you have your whitening strips, follow the directions exactly. Don’t keep your strips on for too long, or it could weaken your enamel. After whitening, try not to drink any sugary or acidic beverages for a couple hours. Also keep in mind that any porcelain or crowned teeth you have will not lighten, but the teeth around them will.

Make sure you don’t whiten too often. Once you’ve achieved the color you want, a once-a-month touch up should be more than enough.

The bottom line, however, is that you need to be careful with your whitening. Too much whitening or not applying the strips or trays properly can damage your teeth. Make sure to contact Dr. Real not only for advice, but to see if whitening is right for you. To make an appointment, call Dr. Real at (714) 525-2888.