Teeth whitening has become increasingly popular over the past few years. In fact, you can go into just about any grocery or drug store and find a variety of products that promise remarkable results. While some of these over-the-counter products may be somewhat effective, there’s really no comparison with professional teeth whitening done by your dentist.
Although it may seem as though almost everyone is using teeth-whitening products, there are some categories of people who should not whiten their teeth. These include the following:
- People who have sensitive teeth. Almost any tooth-whitening product will cause some level of sensitivity in your teeth. The vast majority of the time, this sensitivity is not serious and lasts for only a short time. However, for people with extremely sensitive teeth, the discomfort caused by whitening products may not be worth it.
- Children and pregnant women. Children under 16 should not whiten their teeth because the nerves inside a young person’s teeth are usually enlarged until the mid-teen years, which makes them much more susceptible to uncomfortable sensitivity problems. Pregnant women or new mothers who are breast-feeding their babies, should also avoid whitening their teeth.
- People allergic to peroxide. Because peroxide is the primary bleaching agent in most whitening products, people allergic to this substance should avoid using these products.
- People with gum disease or in need of dental work. If you suffer from gum disease or are in need of having some dental work done – such as cavities that need to be filled, for example – you should avoid whitening your teeth because it can cause painful sensitivity.
It’s important to remember that whitening doesn’t work on fillings and other restorations, and you’ll have to repeat the procedure periodically in order to keep your teeth at their maximum brightness.
If you’re looking for an Austin cosmetic dentist to discuss your teeth whitening options, including our in-office Zoom! Teeth Whitening system, call us today at (512) 454-0414!
Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments_and_procedures/hic_Who_Are_and_Are_Not_Good_Candidates_for_ Teeth_Whitening_Procedures
