Can Teeth Whitening Damage Teeth

Can Teeth Whitening Damage Your Teeth?

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure intended to remove stains for a whiter, brighter smile.

It has become an increasingly popular procedure that can be performed professionally in dental clinics or using a variety of different home whitening kits. However, can this whitening process cause damage to your teeth?

The answer is yes and here’s why:

  • Hydrogen peroxide used in tooth whitening products can cause damage to your teeth.
  • Incorrect use of whitening products can result in damage.
  • Over whitening or having teeth whitening procedures performed too often can damage teeth.
  • Bleaching can result in tooth sensitivity that is commonly temporary but could become permanent.

1. Hydrogen Peroxide Risks

The hard outer layer of the tooth is called the enamel. Beneath this protective layer lies dentin which is a soft pulp. This soft pulp is darker than the enamel and causes discolouration of your teeth.

In order for hydrogen peroxide to whiten the teeth, it must pass through the enamel and into the pulp.

So it is actually the dentin and not the enamel that is being whitened. This pulp contains the nerves of the teeth and bleaching with peroxide can, therefore, cause tooth sensitivity.

Many people experience some pain and discomfort while the teeth whitening procedure is being performed. However, this sensitivity can continue for days or even longer after teeth whitening. Pain is the body’s way of saying that something is wrong or damaged.

Over and above this, the latest research has confirmed that hydrogen peroxide destroys collagen proteins in the dentin.

It is still unclear whether this destruction can be reversed or if the damage is permanent resulting in dental conditions developing in the future.

2. Enamel Corrosion

Most people are familiar with hydrogen peroxide as a bleaching agent for hair. In fact, it is contained in most hair dyes.

There are strict instructions that come with every hair dyeing kit not to colour hair repeatedly and allow a period of at least three months before recolouring.

Any person who has not followed these instructions knows the extreme damage that regular hair dyeing can cause. It can cause your hair to split and even fall out which are common side effects from the overuse of hydrogen peroxide.

Although the enamel on the tooth is much harder and durable, excessive or regular use of teeth whitening products can cause the enamel to erode.

This is especially true when using bleaching toothpastes that are abrasive and basically scrub the hydrogen peroxide into the enamel. It is always recommended to follow teeth whitening instructions carefully to avoid damaging the enamel of the teeth.

3. Intrinsic Vs. Extrinsic

Intrinsic stains are created by the dentin in the teeth and affect the entire tooth. Extrinsic stains have external causes such as smoking or eating and drinking certain foods and beverages that can result in spots or stains on the entire tooth.

Intrinsic stains can effectively be treated with hydrogen peroxide whitening solutions. However, extrinsic stains affect the enamel and can, therefore, be much more difficult to treat.

To avoid damage to either the dentin or the enamel of the tooth, discuss the various teeth whitening options with a dentist to find one that suits the unique requirements of either intrinsic or extrinsic stains.

There is however an upside to this in that there are safe ways to whiten teeth and avoid the damage that the process can cause. It is highly recommended to only have teeth whitened by an experienced and qualified professional such as a dentist.

You should make sure that your teeth are whitened in stages and wait for the recommended period of time before having another teeth whitening session performed.

If you are searching for a reliable dental clinic in Taylors Lakes Australia for a teeth whitening procedure, then look no further than Gardens Dental.

Gardens Dental offers a full array of dental services in Taylors Lakes and Caroline Springs to help you and your family maintain healthy teeth. 

To learn more about our services or make an appointment, please contact us today on (03) 9449 2626 or through our website

Home Teeth Whitening Kits vs In-Chair Dentist Teeth Whitening

Home Teeth Whitening Kits VS In-Chair Dentist Teeth Whitening

Do you have discoloured teeth? Are you suffering from low self-esteem issues because of discoloured teeth? If so, you you need to keep reading below.

Teeth whitening has become more mainstream in society today. That’s due to the many benefits offered by teeth whitening. Discoloured teeth can harm the self-esteem of the individual. People with discoloured teeth feel self-conscious when smiling.

They shy away from associating with their friends and colleagues because of this reason. This can really affect the confidence and self-esteem of the person. Teeth whitening is one of the best solutions to this problem.

Teeth whitening is categorised under two segments – home teeth whitening kits and in-chair dentist teeth whitening. This article provides a comparison between home teeth whitening kits vs in-chair dentist teeth whitening.

  • Home teeth whitening kits
  • In-chair dentist teeth whitening

Home Teeth Whitening Kits

Using a home tooth whitening kit is similar to working out at home. Working out at home requires a lot of discipline compared to joining a gym in the area. You should have the will and discipline to work out at home all by yourself.

Likewise, you should be very disciplined when applying a home teeth whitening kit on a daily basis. The home teeth whitening kit may contain a gel and tray that you have to use for at least 3-4 weeks to see good results.

Missing a few days of the week will create a lag behind the project and reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. Also, the home teeth whitening kit is less powerful than the in-chair dentist teeth whitening process.

This is the drawback of the home teeth whitening kit. There are also some advantages of home teeth whitening kits. You can apply the treatment in the leisure of your home. It’s also relatively inexpensive compared to in-chair dentist teeth whitening.

It’s less sensitive compared to in-chair dentist teeth whitening. You shouldn’t buy home teeth whitening kits unless you are very disciplined and have good time management practices.

In-Chair Dentist Teeth Whitening

In-chair dentist teeth whitening is more effective than the home teeth whitening kit. It involves the application of gel on your teeth and using an LED light with a blue spectrum to cure the gel.

You have to sit on the chair between sixty and eighty minutes to get the best results from this process. In-chair whitening is quick and effective compared to home teeth whitening kits.

However, your teeth may experience a bit sensitivity compared to home teeth whitening kits. If you have a busy life and you are prepared to withstand the sensitivity, in-chair dentist teeth whitening is the best method for you.

In-chair dentist teeth whitening is more expensive compared to home teeth whitening kits. However, they are highly effective and time-saving compared to the latter.

If you have poor time management practices and are too busy to waste 4-6 weeks for whiter teeth, you should definitely try out the in-chair dentist teeth whitening method. You will save a lot of time and have better results with this method.

Are you searching for a reliable dental clinic in Taylors Lakes Australia for your in-chair dentist teeth whitening procedure? If so, then look no further than Gardens Dental.

Gardens Dental offers a full array of dental services in Taylors Lakes and Caroline Springs to help you and your family maintain healthy teeth. 

To learn more about our services or make an appointment, please contact us today on (03) 9449 2626 or through our website

The Right Teeth Whitening Questions You Should Be Asking

Are you planning to have a teeth whitening procedure performed? Do you have any questions about the procedure that you need answered? Well, here are some of the teeth whitening questions you should be asking and the right answers to such questions.

1. Am I covered by insurance?

No. Dental insurance will not cover your teeth whitening procedure. That’s because teeth whitening is considered as a cosmetic dental procedure. It’s a pertinent question to ask to avoid any payment hassles once the procedure is completed.

2. Should I expect any risks after the teeth whitening procedure is completed?

Teeth whitening has 2 side effects that are temporary. These include mild irritation of the soft tissue of your mouth, especially the gums, and increased tooth sensitivity.

You should expect these side effects to disappear a few days after the treatment is completed. Here are some of the ways you can reduce tooth sensitivity if you experience it once the procedure is completed.

• You should wear the tray for a shorter period such as 2 half-hour sessions rather than an hour.

• Also, you should stop whitening your teeth for 2 to 3 days to allow them to adjust to the process.

• Ask your dentist to prescribe a product with high-fluoride content to remineralise your teeth. Make sure you apply this product to the tray and wear it about 4 minutes prior to or following the whitening agent.

• You should brush your teeth using toothpaste manufactured specifically for sensitive teeth. Most of these kinds of toothpaste have potassium nitrate which can soothe the nerve endings of your tooth.

3. Will my enamel be damaged after teeth whitening?

Most of the teeth whitening products contain 10% carbamide peroxide. Studies have revealed that the compound has no effect on the hardness or the mineral content of the enamel on your teeth.

4. Is there any damage to the existing dental restorations or the nerves on your teeth?

A lot of studies have been conducted to identify if teeth whitening causes damage to the nerves on your teeth. There is no evidence from these studies that provides proof of damage.

On the other hand, studies were also conducted to identify if there is any damage to the existing fillings, veneers, bridges, crowns and other dental restorations. Keep in mind that these restorations don’t lighten together with the rest of the teeth.

Therefore, you might be forced to replace any pre-existing dental work to match the new shade of your teeth.

5. How long does the teeth whitening effect last?

Once you have paid for your first teeth whitening procedure, you should know that it’s not permanent. If you expose your teeth to any beverages or foods that might stain them, this will result in your teeth fading within a month.

If you avoid this, you should be able to wait at least a year or more before you need another whitening procedure or touch-ups.

6. What can I do to maintain my bright smile after completing a whitening procedure?

• Make sure you don’t expose your teeth or consume products that might stain them. If you can’t avoid foods that may stain your teeth, you should use a tray so the liquid bypasses the front part of your teeth.

• You should follow proper hygiene practices. Make sure you brush your teeth at least 2 times every day and floss at least once every day to remove plaque.

Conclusion

Teeth whitening has become a very popular cosmetic dental procedure. Make sure you understand what you are getting yourself into by asking all the necessary questions before and after the procedure.

If you need to visit the dentist for advice on teeth whitening, or any type of dental procedure, then look no further than Gardens Dental.

Gardens Dental offers a full array of dental services in Taylors Lakes and Caroline Springs to help you and your family maintain healthy teeth. 

To learn more about our services or make an appointment, please contact us today on (03) 9449 2626 or through our website