Is Professional Teeth Whitening Healthy?
For many people wanting to have a white & attractive smile, professional teeth whitening is a healthy option. In-office visits use bleaching agents to get lighter and faster results than over-the-counter treatments. However, the use of more potent agents suggests patients should consider their present dental history before settling on professional whitening treatments.
It is crucial to consider the options with a dentist. Even if prior dental work or oral difficulties prevent a patient from professional whitening treatments now, future treatment for a progressive bruise is achievable with restorative and preventive care. The primary problem is figuring out which patient can benefit most from professional teeth whitening treatments and who requires further dental care before a bleaching procedure.
Why are Whitening Procedures Recommended for Healthy Teeth?
While dental whitening is helpful for many people, dental professionals typically suggest such treatments for patients with permanent, natural teeth and good oral health. A dentist also considers the hue of the stains. Professional bleaching treatments can be an ideal option for people with yellow teeth. However, our dentists advise against whitening treatments for patients with brown or gray discoloration.
Professional teeth whitening & bleaching treatments use trays tailored for patients to help protect the gums from the bleaching chemicals. Healthy gumlines and teeth also have more suitable strength, so patients typically experience less sensitivity during & after the process. Candidates with good oral hygiene and health are more likely to be suggested for professional bleaching treatments. Other patients may be recommended to look into restorative and preventive care before trying these methods.
Who May Need Further Dental Work for Healthy White Teeth?
There are several aspects to think about before choosing the immediate eligibility of a patient for whitening:
- Gum health
- Presence of caps, crowns
- Sensitivities & Allergies
Patients with gum disease are less likely to fair nicely with the chemicals used in professional whitening treatments, sometimes undergoing tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. Because of these risks to patients, dentists generally recommend treating the condition first, enhancing gum health before attempting to reverse discoloration.
For individuals with existing dental work, like crowns, whitening treatments manage not to be possible options. While bleaching functions to whiten yellowish stains on natural teeth, restorative devices do not brighten in the same way. However, patients with previous dental work can still gain brighter smiles through other dental processes, such as bonding or veneers. Both approaches work by using a substance or material — bonding resin or porcelain — that a dentist then colors to match surrounding teeth or a patient’s preferred brightness.
Professional teeth whitening gets rapid outcomes and is suitable and healthy for many dental patients. The chemicals can raise risks of sensitivity in some patients, especially those with existing dental health problems, and the treatments may not be sufficient with replacement teeth. However, whatever the present state of a patient’s mouth, a dental expert can help them get a bright and healthy smile.
Contact us to book your appointment at our dental office in Windsor, CO.