Health

When It May Not Be Right to Go for Teeth Whitening

Factors like aging, lifestyle choices, drinks and food, and the natural process of wear and tear significantly affect the brightness and appearance of your teeth. For instance, as you age, the protective layer of the teeth often gets thinner, exposing the parts below the gums to make your teeth appear pale gray. That is why you may need East Village teeth whitening. The dental procedure eliminates the staining and discoloration of teeth to create a whiter, radiant smile. Teeth whitening is much more effective than regular oral care in getting rid of plaque.

Even with the effectiveness, affordability, and safety of teeth whitening, it may not be the correct dental procedure for some people. Generally, to undergo the treatment, it is required that you have healthy gums. Consequently, below are other circumstances when you may not be a good candidate for teeth whitening.

Below 16 years of age

There are a lot of bright, attractive smiles in magazines, films, and social platforms. Getting teeth whitening products at the dentist’s office or over the counter is also easy. As a result, many children, from 11 to 16 years of age, are often tempted to try tooth-bleaching treatments.

Dentists do not encourage teeth whitening until a child has all the permanent teeth. Moreover, when your child is below 16 years old, the teeth’s nerves are enlarged, making them susceptible to irritation.

Lactating women

Although teeth whitening is generally safe if you are lactating or pregnant, dentists do not recommend it due to potential oral health issues and complications. When pregnant and lactating, your gums are often prone to irritation, including when exposed to teeth-whitening products. Because of pregnancy-related hormonal changes, you may have swollen, sore gums.

Sensitive teeth

If you have gums and teeth that are sensitive, your dentist may discourage you from teeth whitening. Additionally, if you are allergic to the active ingredient found in whitening products, peroxide, the treatment is unsuitable.

Dental restorations

Dental fillings, crowns, veneers, and other restoration materials do not respond well to teeth whitening. The treatment may even lead to differences in the brightness and appearance of your smile. The dental restorations appear duller and less bright than your teeth that are not having fillings, bridges, or veneers.

If you have multiple dental restorations, it is better to consider other options, including teeth bonding, instead of teeth whitening.

The color of the teeth stain

It takes three to four weeks to whiten yellowish teeth professionally. If your teeth have a blue-gray discoloration, it may take over five months to whiten and brighten.

However, teeth whitening may not be an excellent dental procedure if your teeth are dark brown or gray stained. In such a case, your dentist may recommend dental veneers or crowns.

When you are going for teeth whitening, keep your expectations low. The shade of whitening you get after treatment may not be what you expected, especially when you are a heavy smoker and a user of tobacco products.

Contact East Village Dental Center today for professional teeth whitening.