Tooth Whitening Questions
If you are considering tooth whitening, you may have questions about the procedure and whether you would be a good candidate. At Teach Dental Group, we understand that patients have questions and teeth whitening and we are here to provide the answers you need to make an informed decision about your oral health. Read below to get answers to the most frequently asked questions we receive at our office. Do you or someone you love have additional questions or would like to learn more about our teeth whitening options? Contact us to arrange a free consultation. We welcome the opportunity to put a smile on your face.
Can I Still Get Tooth Whitening If I Have Fillings, Veneers, or Crowns?
People come in, again, asking about tooth whitening and we look in their mouth, and we see that they may have had some cosmetic dentistry work performed in the past. Whether it is a crown in the front of their mouth, or composite fillings, which are the tooth-colored fillings.
We always inform patients that the whitening gel will lighten the tooth structure, but it usually does not have much effect on your non-natural teeth. So if you have a porcelain crown or composite fillings, the tooth whitening gel will likely not have an effect on those teeth. A lot of times, if somebody wants to bleach and lighten their teeth, and they have a crown or filling that is visible when they speak, we may recommend redoing either crowns or fillings to match the lighter teeth so it blends in naturally.
Does Tooth Whitening Damage the Enamel?
A lot of patients come in and ask if tooth whitening is bad for the enamel? Just like most things in life, overdoing anything can cause issues. If somebody was to bleach too often, it can weaken the enamel. The effective agent in tooth whitening is usually peroxide.
Peroxide can weaken the enamel if overused. If somebody bleached to a certain extent, their teeth can get a bluish, grayish, tinge to them. They become sort of chalky looking. Most dental whitening products have a certain amount of time that you should be waiting between bleaching. Usually, a couple times a year is the norm. When a patient comes in for teeth whitening, we will always look into their dental history. This helps us determine if enough time has passed since their last whitening procedure to see if they are a good candidate.
Does Over The Counter Tooth Whitening Toothpaste Work?
Over the counter whitening toothpastes usually have peroxide in them. They also have some abrasive agents. Basically, they just help to remove the surface stains and they really don’t get out the intrinsic, or internal, stains into the teeth. Whereas, professional bleaching, and sometimes some take-home bleaching procedures, will help to whiten the teeth better than a whitening toothpaste.
With a professional tooth whitening solution, you can expect faster results that last much longer. This is because you are not just removing the surface stains, you are getting deeper into the teeth and effectively whitening them for longer lasting results.
If you or someone you love is considering teeth whitening, please contact Teach Dental Group for a free consultation. Our Buffalo dentists have served the West Seneca and Western New York community for over 40 years and would be happy to answer any questions you may have about the procedure. Contact us today and let us put a smile on your face!
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