Teeth whitening is the most common cosmetic dentistry procedure in America. By bleaching the teeth to remove external stains, teeth whitening can reverse tooth stains caused by aging, tobacco use, and the consumption of dark, staining liquids like coffee, tea, and wine.
But there is quite a bit of misinformation about teeth whitening out there. So in this article, we’ll take a look at the top 5 myths about teeth whitening, and explain why they’re false.
- Whitening Your Teeth With Charcoal Is Safe And Effective
This is completely false. Charcoal cannot whiten your teeth – at least, not like at true teeth whitening product. Charcoal is a highly abrasive substance, and it can actually damage your teeth.
How abrasive is charcoal? It’s often recommended as a natural way to clean pot and pans, to remove rust and food buildup. The “whitening” effect of charcoal is caused by it wearing away the enamel on the surface of your teeth, so prolonged use of charcoal could permanently damage your teeth.
- You Can Whiten Your Teeth By Oil Pulling
Again, oil pulling has gained popularity in the last few years as a “natural” way to whiten your teeth. Swishing a tablespoon of oil around your mouth for around 20 minutes is supposed to help remove toxins and whiten your teeth.
But here’s the truth – it doesn’t do anything. There are absolutely no clinical results showing benefits to oil pulling, whether it’s for “detoxification” or teeth whitening, Although some dentists think that some oils may have helpful antibacterial properties, oil pulling is not an effective way to whiten teeth.
- Home Whitening Kits Provide The Same Results As Professional Treatment
It’s true that can whiten your teeth at home with trays, toothpaste, mouthwash, and other products that you can buy directly from the store. These products are safe, and will provide you with decent results.
But they pale in comparison to clinical treatments. San Diego teeth whitening dentists who provide in-office or at-home whitening kits are allowed to use much higher percentages of peroxide – the active whitening agent that “bleaches” your teeth – compared to consumer treatments.
Having your teeth whitened under supervision from a dentist also ensures that you get the proper treatment, and that you do not over-treat your teeth, which can lead to increased sensitivity.
- Your Teeth Will Stay White Forever After Your Treatment
This is not entirely true. Over time, your teeth may get stained by drinking coffee, and if you smoke, chances are they’ll become yellow again quite quickly.
However, your teeth will likely never return to their original color, and you can prolong the effects of teeth whitening by following good oral hygiene precautions. Stop smoking, brush your teeth after meals, and consider brushing or using a mouthwash after drinking liquids like tea, coffee, and wine.
Using a whitening toothpaste and mouthwash can also help keep your teeth bright and white. You may also want to consider touch-up treatments from your cosmetic dentist every year or two.
- People With Sensitive Teeth Can’t Have Their Teeth Whitened
This is false. While teeth whitening can cause some increased sensitivity in some folks, it’s still safe, even if you have sensitive teeth. Your dentist can customize your treatment and use special formulas to ensure that your teeth can be treated safely, without exacerbating any existing tooth sensitivity issues.
In fact, it’s best for those with sensitive teeth to see a dentist for whitening. Using off-the-shelf at-home treatment kits improperly can make tooth sensitivity worse, and cause pain and discomfort.
Know The Fact (And Fiction) Behind Teeth Whitening!
Now that you understand these myths, you’ll have a better understanding of the truth behind teeth whitening.
It’s a great way to restore your smile – and for the best results, you should visit a professional cosmetic dentist, for either in-office whitening, or a customized at-home kit, and avoid store-bought kits, as well as oil pulling and charcoal treatments.
