The Pros and Cons of Teeth Whitening: Is It a Good Idea ?

It is common for most people to look at their teeth every morning in the mirror, and wish that they would look cleaner, brighter and whiter. Over time, stains from various foods and drinks cause our teeth to look faded despite regular brushing and flossing.

What happens is that the enamel layer of our teeth accumulates stains that do not go away with regular brushing. These stains build over time, from the food and drinks we consume, as well as due to the pores within the enamel that hold the stains, and start to make our teeth look dull. This happens with almost everybody because many of the food and other ingredients are a common part of our diets. This includes coffee, cola, wine, tobacco, and even certain medications. Moreover, poor oral hygiene, teeth and gum infections, tooth injury from accidents or during sports, as well as ageing, contribute significantly to the teeth losing their shine.

However, this should not worry us anymore, given the number of options available today for teeth whitening. In fact, we are spoilt for choices in this regard. Before going to a dental clinic in Orlando for teeth whitening near you, you need to assess each of the options, so that you can make an informed decision of the option you choose. Also, knowing other options may serve you well. These include whitening toothpaste (generally ineffective for stronger stains such as from tobacco and ageing), at-home bleaching, porcelain veneers that cover the teeth (effective solution in cases of flawed teeth with cracks, gaps, and chips), bonding, and Snap-ons (customized to fit on top of the patient’s teeth).

It is important to note that the dental clinic near you that performs teeth whitening may recommend avoiding it for those below sixteen years of age, as well as people with certain dental problems that need to be treated before teeth whitening. These include receding gums, decayed teeth, acid erosion, defective tooth restorations, and sensitive gums.

Typically, teeth whitening in Orlando comprises of bleaching treatment aimed at lightening the colour shade, sometimes up to 8 shades, thus making it visibly cleaner, and perhaps healthier.

In deciding on the most appropriate teeth whitening method, one should take into account the kind of discoloration, cost of the procedure, patient’s age, and dental history.

Before teeth whitening, the dentist needs to evaluate the patient’s dental status. The process of teeth whitening is fairly simple, wherein the whitening gel (containing significant levels of hydrogen peroxide) is prepared and applied directly to the teeth. It is then allowed to stay for fifteen to thirty minutes. Sometimes, a UV light is additionally used to activate and enhance the gel’s bleaching ability. The patient could sometimes need more than one session. The dentist at the dental clinic near you, might also provide you with whitening trays for use at home that can be used in supplement to the in-office sessions. Teeth whitening does not require any sedation, and just needs about an hour to be carried out.

Apart from giving you whiter, brighter teeth and a more youthful look, the benefits of teeth whitening from a dental clinic in Orlando include tooth preservation and reduced damage to the teeth and gums. Teeth whitening is more affordable than having crowns and veneers placed.

However, it is also important to consider that teeth whitening does not change the colour of existing crowns or fillings, requires regular application, and might cause sensitivity or irritation for a few days. Excessively hot or cold food and drinks need to be avoided for a few days. The results depend on dental hygiene and lifestyle maintained after the procedure

Teeth whitening is a safe procedure, and teeth whitening products and methods used by dentists are approved by the local regulatory bodies for dental care.