It is no secret that having a great smile with bright white teeth gives a person a more youthful and appealing appearance. In fact, in a 2012 study by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry almost all respondents (99.7%) believe a smile is an important social asset.
In this same study, respondents ranked “straightness of teeth” and “whiteness and color of teeth” as the top two things they notice first about a person’s smile.1 If your teeth aren’t as white as you would like them to be, there are steps you can take, but it is important to be informed in order to avoid any teeth whitening issues.
The best advice for those wanting to whiten their teeth is to consult with a dentist first.
The American Dental Association (ADA) Council of Scientific Affairs issued a Statement on the Safety and Effectiveness of Tooth Whitening Products in April 2012. The ADA recommends that patients consult a dentist for a thorough oral examination to determine if bleaching is an appropriate course of treatment.2
The Academy of General Dentistry recommends that your dentist supervise any whitening treatment, even over-the-counter preparations.3
There are several important reasons for this advice. Extremely dark stains may not bleach well, nor do crowns or other dental restorations. Because crowns and dental restorations are matched in color to your existing teeth, when you whiten adjacent teeth, the crown or dental restoration will not match.
Another consideration is tooth sensitivity. If you have this issue it can become worse when subject to teeth whitening treatments. According to the ADA, tooth discoloration can also be caused by a specific problem that either will not be affected by whitening agents and/or may be a sign of a disease or condition that requires dental therapy.4
Finally, it is a good idea to get a dental check-up before starting any whitening program so a dentist can advise you on how to use the products safely and effectively.
Using strips or gels longer than advised may set you up for sore gums and other problems. Your dentist will also advise that you avoid soda, sports drinks, and other acidic beverages for a couple of hours after whitening products are applied in order to protect your teeth.
A dentist can also advise if the over-the-counter product you wish to use is safe. According to the ADA, “while available evidence supports the safety of using bleaching materials of 10 percent carbamide peroxide (3.5 percent hydrogen peroxide) by dental health professionals, there are concerns with the use of at-home bleaching materials with high hydrogen peroxide concentrations.5
Based on a patient’s medical history, a dentist will also advise on possible allergic reactions to ingredients in the bleaching materials. In addition, patients using at-home bleaching materials often encounter ill-fitting trays, which you wear over your teeth like a mouth guard. An ill-fitting tray may cause irritation to a patient’s gums.
Your smile and your teeth are precious assets. Grabbing some whitening toothpaste or an at-home whitening kit without consulting your dentist may put those precious assets in jeopardy, causing you unnecessary discomfort and pain. Investing in professional dental advice to get the brightest smile possible is money well spent.
Sedki Dentistry, Commerce MI is a complete family dental clinic that offers services for all dental health concerns. Dr. Sedki and his experienced staff are professional and committed to providing uncompromised care to their patients. Maintaining long term dental health and a beautiful smile is their goal. Call Sedki Dentistry today and get started on a healthy, beautiful smile!
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1 American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Whitening Survey, Summer 2012
https://www.aacd.com/proxy/files/Publications%20and%20Resources/Whitening%20Survey_Aug12(1).pdf
2 Statement on the Safety and Effectiveness of Tooth Whitening Products, Council on Scientific Affairs, American Dental Association, April 2012
Link: https://www.ada.org/en/about-the-ada/ada-positions-policies-and-statements/tooth-whitening-safety-and-effectiveness
3 The Risks of Tooth Whitening, Delta Dental
Link: https://www.deltadentalins.com/oral_health/bleaching_risks.html
4, 5 Tooth Whitening/Bleaching: Treatment Considerations for Dentists and Their Patients, American Dental Association, September 2009 (revised November 2010)
Link: https://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/About%20the%20ADA/Files/whitening_bleaching_treatment_considrations_for_patients_and_dentists.pdf?la=en