Top 10 Teeth Whitening Myths
Teeth whitening is slowly gaining popularity. While it is crucial to maintain good oral health with regular brushing and flossing, teeth whitening adds to oral beauty. But there are many myths about teeth whitening. Let’s bust some of those here.
1. Whitening will harm tooth enamel
Even brushing can harm tooth enamel if done in the wrong way. Similarly, if you use good-quality teeth whitening products, they won’t harm your teeth. If you want to be absolutely safe, go to your dentist for teeth whitening.
2. Avoid whitening sensitive teeth
Sensitive teeth can be whitened safely. But it is best done by a dentist. In case of extreme sensitivity, the dentist may give you something to reduce the sensitivity while carrying out the whitening process.
3. Acidic fruits whiten teeth
There is no evidence to support this myth. The acid in citric fruits is not strong enough to whiten teeth. But if you have too many acidic fruits, they may damage your tooth enamel.
4. Whitening removes all stains and discolouration
This is partially true. Whitening removes all stains which are caused by general neglect. But whitening cannot remove age-related stains and discolouration. The tooth enamel starts breaking down as we grow older, and teeth take on a yellow appearance. Such teeth are very difficult to whiten.
5. Whitening lasts forever
Whitening is a temporary process and its results do not last forever. But you can make it last longer. Maintain good dental hygiene. Brush your teeth daily and use a water jet flosser to clean between teeth. The more you take care of your dental hygiene, the longer your whitening results will last.
6. Whitening gives you a beautiful smile
While whitening your teeth will definitely improve the quality of your smile, it won’t change the way you smile. Since the teeth whitening results vary from one person to the next, it is important to have realistic expectations. Not everybody’s teeth can be whitened to the same extent.
7. Crowns, veneers and fillings can also be whitened
If you have any white-coloured tooth caps, crowns or veneers, they cannot be whitened to the same degree as your teeth. Teeth whiteners only work on natural teeth. It may be difficult to match the colour of crowns and fillings to your whitened teeth.
8. All teeth whitening products give same results
There are many options available in over-the-counter tooth whitening products. It is recommended that you consult with your dentist before using any such products. Because of their different chemical compositions, every product will give different results. Do not expect one product to work like any other.
9. Only a dentist can give good whitening results
While we recommend going to a dentist for any dental procedure, teeth whitening can be done at home with easily available products. Make sure that you use only medically recommended teeth whitening products to safeguard your teeth.
10. Teeth whitening is expensive
Not at all. Teeth whitening is not an exorbitantly expensive procedure even if you get it done by a dentist. It will cost even less if you do it at home. There are a variety of teeth whitening kits available at medical or general stores. Just make sure that you do not use an unrecommended or suspicious products to save money.
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure and does not improve your dental health. Keeping your mouth clean is the best way to maintain dental health. Use a high-quality water jet flosser like the Oracura Smart PLUS Water Flosser to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy.
