Teeth whitening treatment has seen a rise in popularity among celebrities and fans alike. More people are trying to add pearly white sets of teeth to other trends. While the pursuit of the perfect smile may have numerous benefits, it could also have side effects. Here are the facts about teeth whitening.
Benefits of Teeth Whitening
1. It Enhances Your Appearance
You might have the straightest smile and the healthiest teeth, but you’re not immune to the effects of coloured drinks such as sodas, coffee, and tea. It may be easy to apply a filter on your photos, but why not get the real deal? Having entirely white teeth keeps you smiling.
2. It Boosts Confidence
Research has shown that if we look better in front of the mirror, it will improve our self-confidence. This further enhances how we carry ourselves around other people. Your confidence will shoot through the roof during an important presentation at work, a first date, or while walking down the street. You will always want to show your white pearls.
3. It Has a Magnetic Effect
Because whiter teeth make you feel more confident and change your look for the better, you are likely to have potential suitors knocking at your door. Whiter teeth are an indication that you take good care of yourself. Potential suitors could find this attractive. You won’t be the only one to reap the benefits of teeth whitening.
4. It Could Be the Key to Your Success
If you have a big interview coming up, a whiter smile can work in your favour. Job candidates who walk into their interviews with whiter smiles are likely to show them off. Looking charming will make the interviewers enjoy having you around, which could increase the chances of you landing the job.
Additionally, the smile makes you look prepared, and it’s easier for the interviewer to think you are well-equipped to handle the job. Apart from interviews, similar energy can be passed to your business and translate to more sales.
5. It Has an Anti-Aging Effect
White teeth generally make you look and feel younger because they are associated with youth and beauty. You also look younger when you smile, and you are likely to smile more when you have whiter teeth.
Research has shown that people tend to guess the age of those smiling more to be younger compared to those who are neutral or have an angry face. This indicates that facial expressions play a crucial role in bias towards age. Choose a white smile!
Side Effects
As with most dental treatments, tooth whitening has potential temporary side effects even when the treatment is effective. Potential problems that could be caused by teeth whitening include gum irritation and sensitivity to cold or hot drinks.
The risk of these side effects is directly related to the concentration of peroxide used and how long your teeth are exposed to the bleaching treatment. You should always consult with your dentist. Your dentist might recommend avoiding bleaching due to the potential side effects. Here is a breakdown of the most common side effects.
1. Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity is the condition where hot or cold foods and drinks cause intense pain or irritation. Generally, all bleaching agents cause some sensitivity problems, but the degree is not the same for everyone. This is an expected side effect. The good news is that the sensitivity is temporary and disappears after the treatment is complete.
If you experience sensitivity during your home treatment, you can reduce the symptoms by:
Pausing the treatment for some time. This is one of the best ways to relieve the pain for a few days. The best thing about this method is that it doesn’t affect the result because bleaching is additive.
Using toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth before and after the treatment. Such toothpaste contains unique ingredients like potassium nitrate, which fights symptoms of tooth sensitivity. Your dentist might also prescribe a gel with high fluoride concentration to help in the re-mineralisation of the enamel.
2. Gum Irritation
This is a common side effect that can either be chemically or physically induced in your gums by teeth whitening treatment. Here is how it can occur:
The reaction of the peroxide present in the tooth whitener with the soft tissues of the mouth. This is the most likely cause of gum irritation because all whiteners contain peroxide.
Physical trauma might occur when the bleaching trays used do not properly fit. They can injure the tissues in the mouth and irritate the gum. To avoid this, go for professional tray-based whiteners that are customised for your mouth. They help in reducing the risk of injuring your gum through home-based treatments.
Gum irritation caused by tooth whitening is mild without serious discomfort. If you are using home trays, you can reduce the irritation by discontinuing the treatment for some time.
3. Other Common Problems
Uneven whitening. Regardless of the product used, there are cases of teeth that do not whiten the same as the rest or those that do not whiten at all. Such cases can ruin your look. Also, if you have fillings and restorations, they won’t whiten.
Whitening addiction. This is a common occurrence characterised by repeated use of whitening treatments. Overuse of the products can cause dental erosion, which can wear away the enamel. This is irreversible.
What Do Dentists Say About Whitening?
Dental professionals consider whitening to be a safe procedure as long as it is done under the supervision of a qualified dentist. Such a professional will advise you on what to do and what to avoid during the whitening process. They will also know the most effective method or product to use on your teeth. Contact Vellore Woods Dentistry to get help with teeth whitening and other dental services.