Practicing Caution When Whitening Teeth

June 22, 2014

Over-the-counter teeth whitening kits are formulated and designed for at-home use with the convenience of the consumer in mind. However, without the guidance or supervision of a dentist, at-home bleaching products can easily be misused, by going beyond either the recommended amount of bleaching agent or the specified period of treatment. This can lead to over-bleaching and teeth sensitivity.

It is very easy to go overboard with teeth whitening when it is done personally because as the person sees his/her teeth becoming whiter, the desire for a brighter shade tends to intensify even more, and the lack of self-restraint ultimately makes the teeth look excessively white and unnatural.

Not only does over-bleaching affect the appearance of the teeth but it also makes the teeth brittle and predisposed to breakage and decay. This is because of the destruction to the protective enamel by bleaching agents in most take-home whitening toothpastes and gels. Because teeth enamel does not regenerate, the over-bleached teeth would then necessitate the placement of dental crowns. Although carbamide peroxide can break down even those teeth stains located down in the dentin layer, the potency can lead to gum irritation or receding gums, exposing more of the tooth roots that make the teeth more sensitive to bleaching.

For safe and optimal teeth bleaching, go for in-office teeth whitening available at the Total Dental Care of South Carolina. Columbia, SC dentist Dr. Forbes offers the Zoom whitening treatment that effectively whitens your teeth to your desired shade without the sensitivity, all in just an hour in the dentist’ chair. Both systems also come with take-home kits that extend the dramatic results of the in-office treatment. The difference is that this teeth whitening method is dentist-supervised.

No need to suffer the unwanted side effects of teeth whitening when you choose in-office treatment under the supervision of your Columbia SC dentist Dr. Forbes. Call 803-272-4162 to set an appointment.

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