One of the nice things about teeth whitening is how easy it is. Just by applying a whitening gel to your teeth, you can completely change the way that your smile looks to others. That makes this treatment incredibly popular among people just becoming interested in what cosmetic dentistry has to offer.
Teeth whitening is incredibly safe and effective, but there is one serious risk that you may want to avoid, and it comes from participating in teeth whitening treatment without checking for cavities beforehand. Here’s why that’s an issue, how you should go about getting tooth whitening safely.
How Can Decayed Teeth Be Affected by Whitening?
As you may know, teeth whitening is done by applying a whitening gel to the teeth, allowing it to settle in, and then removing it. This whitening gel often contains hydrogen peroxide, which is incredibly effective at lifting stains from the teeth.
Hydrogen peroxide is also an irritant, which is why patients occasionally complain of sensitivity in the days after the treatment. However, while this is typically short-lived and mild, the problems get considerably worse if the whitening gel is exposed to the interior of the tooth.
If you have an untreated cavity that exposes the interior of your tooth, whitening gel could come in contact with the sensitive nerve tissue on the inside. As you may expect, this would be extremely uncomfortable.
How to Get Teeth Whitening Safely
Now that you know this, it’s important to ensure that your teeth are in good condition before undertaking any kind of whitening treatment. For that reason, most dentists will spend time on a thorough exam before giving you any kind of whitening treatment. As a result, you shouldn’t be all that concerned about the safety of whitening treatment that you get from a professional.
However, many people are tempted to go for the DIY tooth whitening kits that they buy from the store. These are certainly cheaper than professional teeth whitening, but they don’t come with a dentist providing you with any kind of exam beforehand. As a result, you put yourself at much greater risk of irritating a cavity you aren’t aware of.
If you want your teeth whitening to be completely safe, you should get your teeth whitening from a trained professional.
About the Author
Dr. Karen Littlefield Neil takes a unique approach to dentistry. Over the past 30 years of practicing, she’s found that dentistry is not only about dental care—it’s about getting to know her patients as individuals, understanding their needs, and building a relationship based on trust. Dr. Neil received her dental degree from University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and is currently a fellow of the International Academy of Implant Dentistry.
If you have any questions about teeth whitening, she can be reached at her website or by phone at (817) 402-8275.