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All teeth whitening isn't created equal! Check out these top myths and the facts that prove they are wrong. Most teeth whitening products are very safe to use, if used correctly. It’s always advised to follow all instructions and avoid back-to-back treatments to let your enamel and teeth re-mineralize. As much as we all wish we could be born with natural pearly whites, the level of whitening one can achieve greatly depends on genetics and not just dental hygiene, diet and environmental factors. Remember, all teeth are different and whitening products will affect everyone differently, but don’t get discouraged if your initial efforts don’t work. There are countless ways to whiten your teeth!
The Facts: Just because a whitening product has a high concentration of bleaching agent, doesn’t always mean it will be the best or most effective. Everyone’s teeth are very different. While some may need a stronger product to penetrate the pores in their teeth, this same, strong product may cause severe sensitivity for others. It does not always make teeth whiter either. Your teeth have a limit to how much they can whiten so even the strongest product on the market won’t make a difference for some people.
The Facts: While a bright, white smile can make a world of difference for your overall appearance and confidence, it doesn’t mean your mouth is in the clear for other dental-related issues. It’s still crucial to schedule routine dentist visits and cleanings and brush and floss daily in addition to your whitening routine.
The Facts: There are a lot of pros and cons to both, but they are not the same. Professional whitening usually involves lasers or a very, very high bleaching agent. They tend to yield the fastest whitening results but at a very high price.
At home whitening kits are far more affordable, but don’t always last as long. The benefits to home whitening kits are they can be used and spaced out at your convenience and can be less painful and messy depending on what kind you use.
The Facts: While almost all at home whitening kits, toothpastes and products are very safe, they can wear down the surface of your enamel, causing you more dental problems down the road. Make sure to follow all instructions on whitening products and don’t use more or apply for longer than the recommended time.
The Facts: Any whitening treatment can work, but even the most expensive professional treatments won’t last forever. Some people only need 1 at-home whitening kit to make a difference, but the lasting result greatly depends on personal habits and lifestyle. Things like smoking, diet, and drinking wine, coffee, tea, and soda all decreases the amount of time your teeth whitening treatment (professional or at-home) will last.
The Facts: Many people experience sensitivity while whitening their teeth. That’s because the bleaching agent in teeth whitening products works by penetrating and cleaning the pores of your teeth leaving them more exposed. This can be painful for some and does remove some of the enamel, but our enamel can regenerate and does so while we sleep - thank you, saliva! Those sensitivity side effects are not permanent and neither is the effect it has on your enamel. You can do your enamel a favor and eat a variety of healthy fruits and vegetables and clean protein and fats to help restore the surface faster and protect it.
The Facts: Sensitivity is an issue for a lot of people, but that doesn’t mean you can’t whiten your teeth. Many companies have products that contain a low concentration of bleach or hydrogen peroxide or they have products that are completely peroxide-free and all natural. They might not always yield the fastest results, but they do work over time.
The Facts: Just because something is natural, doesn’t mean it’s not effective! Sometimes the best whitening maintenance or treatment options are the most natural and affordable ones. Products like baking soda, activated charcoal, and coconut oil are not only cheap, they’re excellent whitening agents, especially when combined.
The Facts: As much as we all wish this were true, the level of whitening one can achieve greatly depends on genetics and not just dental hygiene, diet and environmental factors. Remember, all teeth are different and whitening products will affect everyone differently, but don’t get discouraged if your initial efforts don’t work. There are countless ways to whiten your teeth!
The Facts: Even the products with the lowest bleaching concentrations can irritate some people. Everyone’s teeth are different. Make sure to read and know your labels and pay attention to which products give cause sensitivity.
