Teeth Whitening Myths

Many people dream of having a beautiful smile with white and shiny teeth. Because of this, teeth whitening has become one of the most popular aesthetic dental treatments.  Not only do most dental practices offer professional whitening, but many stores now sell at-home teeth whitening kits. Before deciding on a teeth whitening method, it is crucial to do your homework! There a lot of tips and advice regarding different ways to whiten your teeth, however, there are also a lot of myths! Continue reading to learn more about 5 common teeth whitening myths…

Myth 1: ‘Professional whitening kits and at-home whitening kits are the same.’

FALSE! Whitening gels used by professionals tend to be stronger due to the large quantity of active ingredients that are used for whitening the teeth. They also tend to be more expensive as Dentists and Dental Assistants are trained on these products and know what will be right for you and your teeth.  Whitening gels contain a strong bleach and your Dentist or their Assistant will be able to measure and decide the right amount to use for each individual’s set of teeth. Keep in mind that while using at-home kits, you are running the risk of selecting an inferior product, overusing a product, or using it incorrectly.

Myth 2: ‘Teeth can be whitened by using whitening toothpaste and whitening gum.’

While it may be true that these products contain whitening ingredients, the concentration is much too low to have an actual visible effect. These products are widely available and can be super inexpensive, however, you must know that it is unlikely that these options will give you that dazzling white smile you were hoping for.

Myth 3: ‘The strongest whitening gel is the best to use.”

Not necessarily… A stronger whitening gel might speed up the process, however, the whitening effect might not last as long as you would want. If you are using a product with stronger ingredients or a higher dosage of these ingredients, it is possible that this will actually cause more pain and sensitivity to your teeth.  It is also important to note that an individual’s teeth will respond to bleaching at different rates than others, so there really is no guarantee your teeth will get whiter quicker with stronger gel.

Myth 4: ‘Crowns and veneers can be whitened along with your natural teeth.”

False, again! Whitening gels are designed for natural teeth only… Crowns and veneers are made of porcelain.  The ingredients in these types of whitening gels work by corroding the stains on your teeth, so this oxidizing treatment will not work for anything but your natural, everyday teeth. HOWEVER, this does not mean you cannot get these teeth to match the rest of your smile! The alternative to this would be to replace the crown or veneer to color-match any newly whitened set of teeth.

Myth 5: ‘After whitening teeth once, they will remain white forever.”

As good as this sounds, it is not true. The change in color is long-lasting, but your teeth’s aging process still continues. This means that your teeth will most likely change color over time, which is normal! If you want to maintain the level of whiteness you will need regular touch ups, whether this is with your Dentist or using an at-home kit. To keep your smile white as long as possible, try diminishing any use of tobacco and stain causing food or drinks.

Remember that teeth whitening isn’t for everyone… Make sure to keep your teeth healthy by doing your research and by consulting your Dentist before using any at-home teeth whitening options!

Inspire Dental Group offers Philips Zoom Professional Teeth Whitening and our office is more than happy to evaluate your smile and and provide you with this popular and effective procedure! Give us a call at 716-362-4800 for more information.