Demystifying the Five Most Popular Myths About Teeth Whitening
The popularity of teeth whitening continues to surge over the years, as more people become intrigued with the idea of achieving perfection in their beauty. Cosmetic dentists have had to deal with various dental expectations of patients, trying to get a Hollywood-perfect smile. The most basic of those expectations is the need to brighten and whiten teeth. Whether you are concerned over the general yellowing of your teeth or have stubborn stains on a few of them, you stand to benefit from teeth whitening. The only problem, however, will be to overcome the popular myths surrounding procedures for teeth whitening in Chicago, IL.
More About Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening near you entail any dental activity done to improve the color of your teeth. People have tried various approaches to whitening their teeth, with a good number of people relying on do-it-yourself remedies popularized online. However, there are other safer and more effective ways to whiten your teeth that are not necessarily achieved at home. When the bleaching is done by a dental expert, it is called professional teeth whitening. It is the most-trusted method of whitening teeth since it involves dentists in Chicago with vast experience in handling whitening products while caring for the health of your teeth and gums. Better yet, your dentist can recommend an at-home whitening treatment, for instance, Crest whitening emulsions, known to have equally effective outcomes as teeth whitening protocols done in a dental office.
Common Myths About Teeth Whitening You Should Know
Before you make your final decision regarding changing the color of your teeth, here are popular myths you should stop believing about teeth whitening:
1. Teeth whitening guarantees you of the whitest teeth – although professional teeth whitening approaches can achieve whiter teeth up to 4 shades up from the initial color of your teeth, it does not mean you will have the whitest smile in all rooms. Ideally, the effectiveness of whitening procedures differs from one person to another, depending on factors like age, type of stains, the thickness of your enamel, to mention a few. Therefore, before you go wishing you have the exact color of teeth as someone you know, ensure you inquire with your dentist about your options.
2. Teeth whitening is not suitable for people with sensitive teeth – usually, after a teeth whitening procedure, your teeth will likely feel more sensitive to temperature changes for a few days. However, it is a fleeting experience that wears off after a couple of days. It, however, does not insinuate that teeth whitening is not suitable for patients with sensitive teeth. Your dentist will be sure to employ various strategies to ensure you undergo pain-free treatment.
3. Alternative at-home whitening remedies are cheaper than teeth whitening done by a dentist – in efforts to evade the cost of professionally whitening teeth, patients may opt for other solutions like oil pulling, rinsing teeth with hydrogen peroxide, to mention a few. While the initial cost of professionally bleaching teeth may seem higher than the alternatives, the long-term benefits far outweigh them. For instance, the cost of repeating your bleaching techniques every couple of weeks is not necessary with professionally whitened teeth. Better yet, the high safety standards will ensure you do not incur any dental damages that will necessitate future restorative treatment for your teeth and gums.
4. Teeth whitening will weaken and damage your teeth – the art of whitening teeth does not comprise reducing the enamel of your teeth. No drilling, shaving, or trimming of the enamel is involved when bleaching teeth. Therefore, no direct damage is incurred to your enamel simply because whitening products are applied on the surfaces. The use of laser technology for whitening teeth even makes the bleaching process faster, reducing any chances of erosion of your enamel during the whitening process.
5. You have to quit drinking coffee, tea, and wine for the rest of your life – although heavily pigmented foods play a big part in dental discoloration, no dentist will recommend giving them up for the rest of your life simply because your teeth are whiter. Instead, you may have to forego your favorite cup of coffee for the first couple of days after your whitening procedure. Afterward, you can resume the consumption of your favorite drinks. However, you’ll need to be more intentional about proper oral hygiene to prevent re-discoloring your teeth.