Star Style: Make Your Teeth Sparkle

Posted on: 11 August 2017

One of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments in the world is teeth whitening. It's an effective procedure for whitening your teeth, giving you a brighter smile, and many dentists offer the service. However, there are several myths and misconceptions surrounding the treatment that prevent some people from getting the procedure. Here are four common myths that should not deny you the chance to get a whiter smile.

Myth 1: Teeth Whitening Is Painful

Some people fear that the procedure could be excruciating. On the contrary, the whitening process is usually completely painless. In some cases, an individual may experience faint sensitivity once the procedure is over. However, even such a minor discomfort can be prevented by the dentist. In most cases, dentists use desensitising chemicals during the procedure to block spaces in your enamel to prevent root exposure. Therefore, you will not feel any pain during the treatment.

Myth 2: Teeth Whitening Harms Enamel

There's a common misconception that getting whitening treatments on a regular basis can harm the enamel by removing its outer layer. This is completely untrue, as whitening works by opening the pores of the teeth to allow a cleaning agent known as hydrogen peroxide to get into the inner structure and get rid of the stains. The procedure is also designed to cater for the enamel and preserve it. In fact, professional teeth whitening may be safer than at-home solutions, such as whitening strips, even though the chemicals used in the procedure are stronger.

Myth 3: You Can Whiten Fillings and Crowns

Unfortunately, the whitening procedure does not whiten fillings, veneers, crowns or any other dental work. If you have some dental crowns or fillings, you will probably have a greater discrepancy between the colour of your restored teeth and your natural teeth. Therefore, dentists recommend you get a whitening treatment before you get a veneer or crown. This way, you can then match the crown or veneer to the new, brighter teeth. However, if you already have restored teeth, you should inform your dentist to ensure your natural teeth match the crowns to avoid too much discrepancy. On the other hand, you may consider replacing the existing restored teeth to match the new, whiter natural teeth.

Myth 4: Whitening Damages Crowns and Fillings

It is a myth that teeth whitening can damage restored teeth and dental work. The cleaning chemical (hydrogen peroxide) used by dentists does not react with dental materials or metal. Therefore, you can be sure that teeth whitening procedure will not affect your dental work.