Questions You’re Too Afraid to Ask About Teeth Whitening
Have you ever caught yourself staring at someone’s pearly white teeth and wished you had your own white and bright smile? Then you may be a good candidate for teeth whitening. This popular cosmetic treatment is the most efficient way to turn your teeth several shades whiter.
The dentists at La Jolla Family Smile Design understand that you may have some reasonable questions you would like answered before scheduling an in-office teeth whitening appointment. To help address these potential concerns, we answer some of these questions here:
How white will my teeth look after treatment?
That really depends on the shade of your teeth prior to treatment. Hydrogen peroxide penetrates your teeth to attack the discoloration, but it has limitations. For example, if your teeth are yellowed, they will look significantly brighter after treatment, but it would be unreasonable to expect that they become fully white.
Does teeth whitening hurt?
It shouldn’t hurt. If you have sensitive teeth to begin with, then you may be more prone to discomfort after your treatment, especially when consuming acidic, sweet or especially hot or cold foods and beverages. Fortunately, this heightened sensitivity should subside within a few days of your whitening.
Will all my teeth look evenly white?
Your teeth should look evenly white, but results will vary if you do not have all your natural teeth. Unfortunately, the bleaching process does not have much effect on prosthetics, so if you have a crown, dental implant, dental bridge, etc., you cannot expect them to change color. While it is still safe to have this treatment, you may want to think twice about teeth whitening if you are concerned that your smile won’t look even. Some patients have chosen to undergo teeth whitening prior to receiving a crown or dental implant so the new tooth can match the color of their whitened teeth.
Can I get teeth whitening if I have a cavity or gum disease?
If you have a cavity or gingivitis, the teeth whitening process can significantly increase the discomfort you already experience in the form of a toothache or inflamed gums. Since teeth whitening is a cosmetic treatment, it should be considered a lower priority compared to other dental or periodontal procedures that protect and improve the health of your teeth and gums. Any sensible dentist will encourage you to address your existing dental problems before whitening your teeth.
Will teeth whitening damage my teeth?
This subject has been researched extensively and we are happy to report that teeth whitening does not negatively affect your teeth or erode your teeth’s enamel. You can feel comfortable whitening your teeth without worrying that you are causing any harm.
Contact La Jolla Family Smile Design
Now that you have these questions answered, if you would like to move forward with scheduling teeth whitening to brighten your smile, please make an appointment with Dr. Jaime Breziner, Dr. David Vasquez or Dr. Yael Kandinov by calling (858) 454-3044.
