Many patients hoping for a brighter smile often wonder: Is teeth whitening safe? Yes, professional teeth whitening is a safe procedure; it’s one we administer every day in my office. Let’s bust the top five myths about teeth whitening to address your concerns.
Whether you want whiter teeth for your wedding day, a high school reunion, or simply for a boost in confidence, a professional teeth whitening procedure is an excellent option. It’s the safest, most effective way to get that bright smile you’re hoping for.
After a 90-minute procedure, the average patient walks out of the office with a smile that’s 2-3 shades lighter.
I do receive a lot of questions from patients about the safety of the procedure. Does it make your teeth more sensitive? Is it bad for enamel? Is the procedure complicated?
Let’s dispel the top five myths surrounding professional teeth whitening to calm your nerves.
1. Teeth whitening is more safely done at home.
In reality, teeth whitening is much safer administered by a professional.
A person trained to perform the procedure can better control the solution placed on the teeth to ensure it does not reach your gums or tongue, which could be problematic.
They also ensure all materials used are biocompatible, or not harmful to living tissue.
2. Professional teeth whitening makes your teeth more sensitive.
Actually, the people who experience more sensitive teeth after teeth whitening typically have more sensitive teeth in general prior to the procedure.
It is important to have an exam before you whiten your teeth at home or in the dental office because there are factors in your mouth that can be detected by a dentist that will increase the likelihood of having sensitivity from whitening.
3. Professional teeth whitening is harmful to enamel.
To dispel this myth, I encourage patients to think about bleach.
Do you go to the salon to have your hair colored, or use bleach to remove stains from your clothes? During a teeth whitening procedure, we’re bleaching your teeth instead.
So no, the teeth whitening agents used do not strip away your enamel, or cause any damage to it.
4. The procedure is complicated.
Nothing could be further from the truth. The procedure is relaxing, and only 90 minutes long. Most people watch a movie or read a book. Some even work.
When you arrive, you’ll be escorted to a dental chair to meet with a staff member professionally trained to whiten teeth. He or she will place a material over your gum to protect it from the whitening agents.
Then he or she will place a UV light over your teeth. The only thing you need to do is arrive at the chair, and then keep your mouth open.
When time’s up, the professional will place fluoride and other agents on your teeth to prevent sensitivity.
It’s a simple, easy process that will have you in and out of the chair before you know it.
5. The procedure isn’t worth it.
Although a professional job is more expensive than purchasing over-the-counter whitening strips or wash, in reality, it is absolutely the most effective and quickest way to whiten your teeth.
As mentioned above, the procedure lasts 90 minutes, and the average patient walks out of the office with a smile that’s two to three shades lighter.
On the other hand, whitening strips could take weeks before you see results, and whitening mouthwash could take months.
I’m a huge fan of professional teeth whitening, because I see the positive impact it has on my patients every day. Please give us a call if you have any questions and would like to have a consultation to see if you would be a good candidate for whitening your teeth.