Has your smile been appearing a bit dull as of recently? The good news is that there is a simple way to enhance the natural appearance of your teeth: professional teeth whitening. However, it’s crucial that you have excellent oral health before you undergo this cosmetic treatment. Whitening your teeth when you have existing decay can lead to serious and painful dental issues. Read on to learn about the risks and why you should always see your dentist if you are looking to whiten your smile.
What Happens If You Whiten Teeth with Cavities?
If you have cavities, you shouldn’t be using any sort of whitening treatment. The whitening agent that is used in most store-bought whitening treatments contains hydrogen peroxide. While this substance is highly effective at removing stains, it can irritate teeth that are particularly sensitive, even if they are otherwise healthy.
If there is a cavity present, when the bleaching agent makes contact with the sensitive inner layers of your tooth, it can cause a significant amount of pain. In some cases, teeth can become permanently damaged, and you will ultimately require emergency care.
In the end, you should always have your teeth carefully examined by a dentist to ensure that you don’t have existing decay, cracks, or other damage present that could get in the way of the treatment. Minor cavities and cracks can cause little to no symptoms and may not become apparent until after you whiten your teeth.
How Can Professional Whitening Help to Prevent Oral Health Issues?
Whether you opt for in-office or take-home professional teeth whitening with your dentist, your smile will be closely examined beforehand to ensure that it is healthy enough to undergo this cosmetic treatment. Any oral health issues will need to be resolved before you can commit to teeth whitening. Once you’re given the green light, here are your options:
- In-Office Teeth Whitening: If you want quick results, you can choose an in-office professional whitening treatment. In this case, your dentist will use a safe, yet effective whitening product to brighten your smile several shades in just a single appointment.
- Take-Home Teeth Whitening: If you would prefer to whiten your smile in the comfort of your own home, take home teeth whitening kids are also available. Your dentist will provide you with a whitening agent that is stronger than anything you can find in stores. You will see beautiful results in just a couple weeks.
We all want a bright, white smile, but you shouldn’t risk your oral health to achieve this. By seeing your dentist for treatment, you can ensure that your pearly whites are healthy enough to be whitened safely!
About the Practice
At Temple Choice Dental, we have a team of 5 skilled dentists who are eager to help you achieve your smile goals. With all of their combined skills and expertise, patients are able to get pretty much anything they need conveniently under one roof. To learn more about your teeth whitening options or to schedule an appointment at our office in Temple, visit our website or call (254) 727-7144.