For over a decade now, the popularity in teeth whitening rose astronomically. Many of us know that our teeth are one of the first things people see when looking at us. So, it is very embarrassing if our teeth are not white. Even if we try to hide our teeth when we laugh or smile, we still may occasionally slip up and show our teeth.
Because of these issues, we go that extra mile to maintain white teeth. We go to the dentists, drink plenty of water, and use over-the-counter whitening toothpaste and other such products. However, even then some drinks and food can make it hard for us to maintain the whiteness of our teeth. And as a result, many of us may be tempted to over-white the teeth thinking that we are combating the food and drinks’ stains, but in actuality, we are making things worse with over-whitening.
Dangers of Over-bleaching Your Teeth
Over-whitening or over-bleaching of the teeth is a terrible thing. The following dangers will result from over-bleaching:
–Stripping of the enamel– the enamel protects teeth, and once it’s stripped away, you can’t get it back. Without the enamel, you won’t be able to have white teeth also. The teeth will have a yellow appearance. The only way to have attractive-looking teeth when enamel is worn is by getting crowns or wearing veneers.
–Gum irritation and thin, chalky teeth– in these cases, people will experience never before tooth sensitivity.
–Permanent pulp damage– this is the nerve chamber. The overexposing of bleaching gels can deeply permeate the tooth’s dentine which will cause permanent pulp damage and cause tooth pain.
Some Tips for Safe Teach Bleaching
To avoid these potential issues resulting from overbleaching of your teeth, you must use the following tips:
–Go back to the basics– including brushing twice daily, using fluoride toothpaste, avoiding sugary snacks between meals, and flossing once daily.
–Consult your dentist– visit your dentist twice a year to get a mouth exam and professional cleaning. Then, get advice from the dentist on further care of your teeth, gums, and teeth whitening products. Additionally, always contact the dentist to make sure a questionable whitening product is safe to use.
–Shop wisely– make sure to obtain gels with peroxide or sodium bicarbonate with a concentration between 10 to 25 percent. Over-the-counter whiteners that are safe normally have peroxide that range from 10 to 20 percent.
–Adequately follow the instructions– don’t ignore instructions that you may think are not important, such as keeping the gels or strips on longer than is instructed.
–Don’t whiten your teeth during certain times– you shouldn’t use these products while nursing or pregnant.
–Using protection for sensitive teeth– mild sensitivity may occur for a few hours after whitening your teeth. Your gums may also be sensitive after using gel-filled trays. So, it will behoove you to avoid sports drinks, soda, and other acidic drinks for a couple of hours.
Conclusion
Using these tips will go along way in protecting your teeth. You will maintain an amazing smile and maintain great dental health.
