Do you avoid smiling because of discolored teeth? You’re not alone. Teeth whitening treatments can often help this condition.
There are two types of tooth stains. Extrinsic stains often affect longtime smokers, soda drinkers, and coffee and tea drinkers. They may also occur due to the natural aging process. As we age, our enamel can erode, revealing a yellowish color.
The other type of tooth stain is intrinsic. These stains are deep inside of teeth, caused by medications, genetics, or tooth decay.
Teeth whitening procedures, performed by a dentist, are only effective for patients with extrinsic dental stains.
What Dentists Need to See Before Teeth Whitening
Dentists want prospective patients to meet two criteria before teeth whitening procedures. First, the patient has to be free of cavities. Next, they have to be free from gum disease.
Occasionally, teeth whitening causes slight inflammation of the gums. If the patient has gum disease, they already have plaque irritating their gums. Further irritation could cause bleeding from the gums and sensitive teeth.
If patients meet these criteria, they qualify for teeth whitening treatment. The procedure occurs on an outpatient basis in a sterile environment. Before teeth whitening can occur, the dentist may have to order custom gel trays.
Red Lights for Whitening Treatments
There are several more reasons that dentists may decline to provide teeth whitening services. They include:
Age of the patient
Most dentists agree that teenagers are too young to undergo professional whitening treatments. If a patient begins bleaching his or her teeth at such a young age, the teeth may become brittle over time.
Dentists also recommend that patients refrain from using at-home tooth whitening kits. These kits only have a fraction of the potency of professional kits and take much longer to work.
Minors who want to get their teeth whitened should start with deep cleanings and fluoride treatments.
Pregnancy
There isn’t strong evidence that teeth whitening is bad for pregnant women, but there is also not a lot of evidence that it’s neutral or beneficial. In general, dentists ask their pregnant patients to wait until they give birth and are done breastfeeding before getting whitening services.
The active ingredient in whitening gel is peroxide, which isn’t harmful even if accidentally swallowed. However, dentists ask pregnant patients to delay treatment on the off chance that they would have an allergic response or unforeseen side effects.
Extensive dental work
Patients who have had crowns, bridges, veneers, or implants need to talk with their dentists before initiating whitening treatment. If patients whiten their teeth, the new color may be lighter than the old restorations, resulting in a mismatched-looking smile.
Teeth Whitening in Lombard, IL
Dr. Julie Glud provides KöR whitening treatments to qualified patients in her Lombard office. KöR treatments use refrigerated gel trays that block saliva, making them more effective than ordinary teeth whitening gels.
If you’re embarrassed by your smile, it’s a great time to book with us. Our team is friendly and ready to answer all of your questions. Having shiny, white teeth can boost your confidence and change your whole outlook on life.
Let’s start with x-rays and cleaning. Schedule an initial consultation and let’s talk about your teeth whitening options. Give us a call at (630) 629-5700, or contact us online.
