Is teeth whitening bad for teeth?
Teeth whitening at the dentist is completely safe for your teeth. Drinking a carbonated drink may do more harm to your teeth than dental bleaching by a dentist. Professional tooth whitening will therefore not permanently affect the tooth structure and enamel. However, other whitening methods such as brushing with charcoal or bleaching with a teeth whitening kit from a drugstore can be harmful to your teeth.
Can you eat and drink during teeth whitening treatment?
Between whitening sessions, the enamel of the teeth temporarily becomes slightly more porous due to the active ingredients in the whitening gel. This allows the bleaching agents to reach the discolored part of the teeth. After bleaching, the enamel restores itself. During the whitening treatment period, certain foods and drinks should be avoidedas they can adversely affect results.We, therefore, recommend that you do not ingestcolored foods and drinks (coffee, red wine, fruit jams, etc.) during and 48 hours after bleaching. Smoking should also be avoided.
How long will teeth keep their new, whiter color?
This depends on your teeth’s natural color, your oral hygiene practices, and your lifestyle. In general, it can be said that teeth will retain their bleached, bright appearance for up to 5 years. Make sure to take good care of your teeth and brush daily. Also avoid the consumption of colored food or drink to keep your teeth looking bright for as long as possible.
Can fillings and crowns be bleached?
Fillings and crowns do not bleach. After dental bleaching, there may be a slight color difference, but usually, this is not a problem. If it bothers you, you can always choose to replace the fillings. The same goes for crowns or bridges on the front teeth.Consult with our dentists before whitening to know whether prostheses need to be remanufactured to avoid color differences.
Why not just use a drugstore dental whitening kit?
All home dental bleaching kits have minimal effect. The difference with whitening at the dentist is in the use of special bleaching agents. These are more effective at correcting even extreme tooth discoloration. Home tooth whitening kits are many times weaker and can only achieve short-term results. They might not even work for some people.
If you are interested in teeth bleaching for a more beautiful smile, give us a call today to schedule an appointment at our clinic.