4 Things You Should Know Before Whitening Your Teeth
Wish you a had a brighter and whiter smile? These days, achieving whiter teeth is easier than ever, and there are plenty of options available to you. From store-bought whitening kits to professional teeth whitening procedures at your dentist's office, nearly anybody can achieve a smile that's multiple shades whiter. Before you decide to whiten your teeth, however, there are some things you should know.
It's Better to Trust a Professional
While there are plenty of whitening strips and gels you can find at your local grocery store, these simply don't contain a whitening solution that's as powerful as what your dentist has access to. If you really want to maximize your results, you'll have your teeth whitened in your dentist's office. This will also allow you to yield nearly instant results, especially if you opt for a teeth bleaching procedure. And of course, having a professional handle your teeth whitening gives you added peace of mind as opposed to DIYing it.
It's Up to You to Maintain Results
While your teeth may be several shades whiter by the time your procedure is done, it's important to realize that your results aren't permanent. You'll need to take measures to maintain the results of your teeth whitening, such as avoiding foods and drinks that are known to stain teeth (red wine and coffee are a couple of common culprits here). Using a whitening toothpaste daily can also help to maintain your results.
Veneers and Crowns Can't Be Whitened
If you have any visible crowns, veneers, or other previous dental work done, it's important to realize that these will not take to teeth whitening solutions. Therefore, you may need to have your veneers swapped out with a shade that better matches your brighter and whiter smile. Speak to your dentist about your options to figure out what's best for you.
Whitening Shouldn't Damage Your Teeth
Finally, don't fall for the myth that whitening is damaging to your teeth. As long as it's done properly, your teeth, gums, and enamel are completely safe. More than likely, any stories you've heard about teeth becoming damaged from whitening are related to people who attempted to whiten their own teeth with store-bought products and did not follow instructions.
Now that you have the information you need about teeth whitening, you're in a better place to confidently decide whether or not this procedure is right for you.