Albertville, AL
Unfortunately, age takes a toll on our bodies, and our teeth are no exception. Our enamel — the durable, white outer coating of our teeth — thins over time, exposing the yellow dentin underneath. The staining foods and beverages we have enjoyed start catching up with us, too. (Coffee, tea and wine: we’re looking at you!)
Professional teeth whitening is the most requested cosmetic dental procedure in our Albertville dentist office. Usually, it’s after a patient has tried — and been disappointed by — over-the-counter whitening strips or kits. Professional teeth whitening, on the other hand, can drastically whiten your smile, removing years of stains from the surface of your teeth in as little as one visit to our Albertville cosmetic dentist office.
Let’s take a look today at a few of the downsides of over-the-counter whitening kits:
Sensitive teeth
Ingredients in over-the-counter whitening products tend to cause more tooth sensitivity than professional whitenings. Sensitivity is caused by the bleaching ingredient soaking into the tooth’s surface and close to the dentin inside the tooth. This is where the tooth’s nerves are. When the nerves are exposed to the whitening ingredients, it makes them vulnerable. The result is sensitive teeth after bleaching at home.
Gum irritation
One of the primary complaints from at-home whitening kits is gum irritation after use. Strong chemicals in, for instance, whitening strips or trays are placed against the tooth but also often seep into gum tissue during treatment since the trays and strips are not custom-made like the whitening trays in our Gadsden cosmetic dentist office. Irritation depends mostly on the amount of bothersome chemicals in the at-home kit and how long the product was in contact with the gums. Thankfully, gum irritation is usually temporary and should resolve itself.
Uneven whitening
Another big complaint from over-the-counter whitening kits is uneven whitening after treatment. Teeth can respond differently to whitening, sometimes leading to some teeth being whiter than others or even some teeth appearing spotty.
Enamel damage
Overuse of over-the-counter whitening products or products with high concentrations of bleaching agents can potentially damage your tooth enamel. It’s important to follow all instructions precisely.
Whiten your smile in Albertville, Alabama
Teeth whitening is a quick, effective and affordable cosmetic dental procedure that can remove years of surface stains off your teeth, returning your smile to its youthful glow. Teeth whitening is best performed under the care and guidance of our qualified cosmetic dental team at Wall Street Dentistry. If you’re interested to learn more about teeth whitening, or if you’re ready to schedule an appointment, call us at (256) 400-2783, or reach out to us online today.
