Throughout history, white teeth have often been seen as a sign of youth, health, and beauty, but frequent exposure to certain substances can leave teeth with unsightly stains and discoloration. While there are many purported teeth whitening methods available, some of them can lead to suboptimal results or even injuries due to poor formulation or user error. Here’s a brief guide to the dangers of DIY and store-bought teeth bleaching methods and why you should consult with your cosmetic dentist before attempting to whiten your grin.
Don’t Try DIY
While it’s easy to whiten a smile by removing a few layers of stained enamel, this approach can drastically shorten the lifespan of your teeth by making them more vulnerable to injury and infection. Today, many social media influencers are peddling at-home teeth whitening methods that work in this manner using harsh bleaching agents such as lemon juice and activated charcoal. Consult with your dentist before attempting any DIY teeth whitening method.
Give a Second Thought to Methods Store-Bought
If you go to your local grocery store or pharmacy, you may notice a wide selection of teeth whitening products such as kits, strips, and toothpastes. While these treatments can be effective, strips and pastes can often take months to produce noticeable results, and store-bought kits can leave teeth unevenly whitened or expose the gums to harsh whitening agents due to poorly fitting one-size-fits-all dental trays. Speak with your dentist so you can hear their recommendation before using any store-bought whitening product.
How Can My Dentist Brighten My Grin?
If you’re looking for an effective teeth whitening treatment that won’t take forever to produce remarkable results, look no further than professional teeth whitening treatments from your dentist. Your dentist can provide you with a customized teeth whitening kit that includes personalized dental trays and professional-grade whitening gel. You’ll only need to apply the gel to the trays and wear them over your teeth for about an hour daily for two weeks. Your smile will be up to eight shades whiter by the end of your treatment.
Don’t let an ill-advised teeth whitening treatment harm your smile. Consulting with your dentist can help you find the best way to achieve a brighter grin.
About the Practice
St. Albans Dental offers excellent oral healthcare to the community of St Albans City. Led by Drs. Tyler Aten, Kelsey Cone, and Mekayla Davico, the staff delivers effective treatments with compassion and courtesy. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry such as teeth whitening. If you’re interested in a brighter grin, contact the office online or dial the front desk at (802) 524-4844.