Whitening Teeth: Advantages and Disadvantages

Everyone desires to have a brighter and whiter smile. Unfortunately, due to some factors, you can end up with yellow or dull teeth. You can agree that discolored or stained teeth aren’t fun. Besides stealing away your smile, they can steal your confidence and self-esteem. Thanks to advancements in dental technology, there’s a way to restore your oral appearance with teeth whitening techniques.

Teeth whitening products such as whitening toothpaste are readily available in over-the-counter stores. There are also home remedies for the same. If you’re looking for the most effective and safest way to brighten your smile, we recommend going for in-office teeth bleaching.

Why You Need Teeth Whitening

Tooth damage due to stains or discoloration can be caused by a variety of reasons, including:

• Tobacco products.
• Black tea and coffee.
• Sports drinks.
• Colored beverages such as sodas.
• Colored foods.
• Berries and other colored fruits.
• Sauces
• Water

It’s important to note that teeth discoloration is different and requires specific treatments. For instance, yellow teeth are easy to whiten and can be treated with standard whitening agents. On the other hand, gray or purple teeth are difficult to bleach and may need special care.

To make sure what bleaching agent is suitable for your teeth condition, you should consult your dentist. The dentist will guide you through the whitening products that are safe and right for your teeth.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Teeth Whitening

Like any other procedure, teeth whitening have its pros and cons. To ensure that you’re well informed about teeth whitening, here are the pros and cons of teeth whitening to keep in mind.

Pros of Teeth Whitening

It’s worth noting that teeth whitening is more of a cosmetic procedure. The advantages, thus, have to do with your dental appearance rather than your oral health. These include;

• Improved Appearance

This is the most common reason for teeth whitening. By whitening your teeth, you’ll achieve a brighter and whiter smile. About 96% of the adult population feel that brighter smiles are more physically desirable.

• Improved Self-Confidence

Brighter teeth are indeed more appealing. You may notice that individuals with white teeth tend to smile frequently to show off their white pearls. Whitening your teeth can improve your confidence, allowing you to go through your personal and professional life with pride.

• Affordable

Unlike other cosmetic procedures, such as dental implants, teeth whitening is a standard and affordable process. Teeth whitening products are cheap and can even be done at home, making them affordable for most people.

• Safe

Teeth whitening is also safe for your teeth and gums. However, it depends on which whitening agents are used and how the treatment was carried out. It’s also worth noting that some products aren’t safe for your teeth and gums. It’s therefore recommended to consult with your dentist about the best whitening kit to use. If possible, you should get your teeth whitened in a dental office.

• Immediate Results

Luckily, teeth whitening is quick and easy. Depending on the type of whitening technique you’ve decided to use, you can enjoy your results immediately or within a few days. For in-office teeth bleaching, you get immediate results in less than 2 hours.

Cons of Teeth Whitening

If you consult your dentist about the best whitening kit for your teeth and follow the instructions carefully, it’s unlikely that you’ll have any side effects. However, any medical procedure comes with the potential to cause side effects. Common side effects to be aware of include:

• Teeth Sensitivity

Bleaching agents are likely to cause teeth sensitivity, which may be worse if you already have sensitive teeth to begin with. Luckily, it’s a mild side effect that goes away within a few days.

•  Gum Irritation

 Strong bleaching agents can burn the soft tissue of your gum, causing gum irritation. Fortunately, such effects will be gone within three days.

• Enamel Damage

 While there’s still no conclusive evidence that teeth whitening can damage the teeth’s enamel, strong agents will definitely cause damage to your teeth. Always consult your dentist before settling for a whitening product.

• Irregular Whitening

While it’s rare, irregular whitening is possible. In most cases, it may happen due to the wrong usage of a product or inferior quality product.

• Not Permanent

 Teeth whitening isn’t permanent. If you continue with your before-whitening lifestyle that caused the discoloration or stains in the first place, your teeth can change again.

Schedule an Appointment

Ready to get your teeth whitened? Contact South Hadley Dental Group today to schedule your appointment.