There are a lot of different factors that can cause teeth staining or teeth discoloration. Poor dental hygiene, certain medications, dental trauma, acidic and colored foods, and beverages are a few. Discolored teeth can affect your smile, impacting your self-esteem and social life. Teeth whitening is the most popular, quickest, and most affordable procedure to improve your teeth’s appearance.
When considering teeth whitening, it’s important to know all the treatment details to make an informed decision. Knowing the pros and cons of teeth whitening will help you decide whether teeth whitening is the right solution. To begin your smile journey, visit a dental practice office near you for a consultation.
Pros of Teeth Whitening Include:
· A Brighter Smile
Teeth whitening removes teeth stains, giving a brighter and more appealing smile. Teeth whitening treatments contains bleaching agents, making them more effective on stain removal than regular whitening toothpaste.
· Improved Self-Esteem and Confidence
Stained or discolored teeth are likely to make you self-conscious or embarrassed about your smile. Improving the appearance of your teeth will make you feel good about yourself, boosting your self-esteem and confidence.
· Affordable
Unlike other dental procedures, tooth whitening treatment won’t break the bank. You should consult your dentist about how much the treatment will cost you. The dentist will create a customized teeth whitening solution that meets your budget and needs.
· Better Oral and Overall Health
After seeing the results of your teeth whitening, you should be more motivated to have good oral hygiene and habits. Proper oral hygiene leads to good oral and overall health. You reduce the risk of cavities, gum disease, and health-related illnesses such as diabetes and heart diseases.
· Easy Maintenance and Long-Lasting Results
After the teeth whitening process, proper dental care and hygiene practices are essential to maintain the results. If necessary, you can consult with your dentist about whitening maintenance kits. Other than that, you only need to maintain excellent dental hygiene habits. On average, your new smile can last for an average of two to three years or more.
Cons of Teeth Whitening Include:
While teeth whitening treatments have many benefits, they are not without cons.
Since your oral health is vital, you don’t want to take any chances. It is recommended that you find a reputable dentist when considering teeth whitening. You will reduce the risk of complications or risks.
Common cons of teeth whitening include:
· Gum Irritation
Gum irritation, sensitivity, or burning is one of the major complaints of teeth whitening treatments. Since teeth whitening involves using bleaching agents to remove teeth stains, gum exposure is possible, which causes irritation or burning. With professional whitening, the dentist applies a protective gel on the gums to protect them from the bleaching agent, which reduces the risk of gum exposure. The irritation should only last for a few days.
· Tooth Sensitivity
After teeth whitening, you might experience sharp pain in your teeth, especially when chewing or consuming hot or cold drinks. Teeth sensitivity, also called dentinal hypersensitivity, is caused by the whitening procedure itself. The bleaching agents can enter the tooth’s dentin tubules, exposing the nerve endings. Fortunately, the sensitivity typically goes away after a few days. Consult your dentist if the sensitivity worsens or doesn’t fade away.
· No Guarantee of Results
When you use self-administered treatments from the drug store or home remedies, there’s no guarantee you’ll get results. For instance, deep stains might not respond to a low bleach concentration in the whitening products. Similarly, the dentist can’t remove stains caused by an underlying condition such as an infected root canal. The dentist can only cover those stains with a crown or veneer.
· Tooth and Gum Damage
Harsh or incorrect use of whitening kits can cause harmful effects to your teeth, gums, and mouth. For instance, they can damage the gums, tooth enamel and cause mouth odor. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and use whitening products from a reliable supplier.
Final Verdict
Weighing the pros and cons of teeth whitening treatments, it’s clear that the treatment is worthwhile. For more effective, safer, and fastest results, professional teeth whitening is recommended.
If you are looking for a cosmetic dentist to get teeth whitening in Bronx, NY, then we suggest you to book an appointment with BX Dental.