6 Teeth-Whitening Mistakes to Avoid

Have your teeth acquired a darker shade over time? The process of darkening isn’t surprising given the effects lifestyle has on the look of one’s smile. Consuming teeth-staining foods, smoking, and neglecting oral hygiene are only some of the wrong choices, affecting whiteness.

When deciding to whiten your teeth, there are a couple of mistakes to avoid for the results to be satisfying. Spare some time to consult a dentist, read the package instructions of whitening products, as well as follow after-care instructions. Instead of avoiding these steps, make sure to take the teeth-whitening process seriously.

These are the worst mistakes to avoid.

Not seeing a dentist

A common teeth-whitening mistake most individuals make is not seeing a dentist prior to having their teeth bleached. A consultation with a dentist is recommended in order to have your oral cavity examined for potential cavities and other dental problems. For instance, tooth discoloration is sometimes caused by decay, which has to be treated first so as for your teeth to become whiter. Read here about the causes of brown spots on teeth, including tooth decay.

Moreover, make sure to inform your dentist about any natural methods or over-the-counter bleaching products you intend to use. He/ She will decide whether your teeth-whitening choice is a wise idea based on your oral health and tooth sensitivity. For example, patients with sensitive teeth aren’t recommended to try over-the-counter mouth trays, as these aren’t the perfect fit for everybody’s mouth.

Considering the fact everyone has a different shape and size of a mouth, it’s impossible for the over-the-counter tray you purchase to match yours perfectly. Only by using a custom tray, individuals aren’t at risk of getting bleach on their gums, which triggers gum irritation and damage. Additionally, people with dental crowns and veneers should discuss the possibility of having these fillings whitened.

Since crowns, veneers, and other restorations are made of composite material, the majority of teeth-whitening products are incapable of whitening their color. As a result, these would look darker when compared to natural teeth following the whitening procedure.

Using whitening toothpaste every day

Whitening toothpaste is among the favorite over-the-counter products of individuals looking forward to a bright smile in no time. The same goes for teeth-whitening kits designed to be used in the comfort of your home. In case you plan to buy an at home teeth whitening kit, look for a formula with patent-pending LED technology. It’s crucial for the formula to contain no phthalates, parabens, and sulfates.

Nevertheless, many individuals tend to use whitening toothpaste in the same manner they use regular toothpaste on a daily basis. Due to the presence of the abrasives, such as hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, or charcoal, it shouldn’t be applied more than several times weekly. By exposing your teeth to abrasive substances daily, the enamel will be worn down, and dentin will no longer be protected. Prolonged use of whitening toothpaste might also result in gum recession.

Not following the instructions on the package

Another frequent teeth-whitening mistake people make is not following package instructions. Each teeth-whitening kit or product comes with detailed instructions for users to adhere to so as to prevent adverse effects. These instructions specify the recommended timeframe during which bleaching gels or strips should be left on the teeth of users.

Nevertheless, plenty of individuals ignore these instructions and leave the products on their teeth for much longer than necessary, hoping to get a brighter smile. Leaving whitening gels and strips longer than recommended has a detrimental effect on teeth due to peroxides. Not adhering to the package instructions leads to sore gums and the appearance of splotches.

Consuming acidic fruits

Although the largest part of natural teeth-whitening methods does no harm to teeth, there are certain methods that you should be more cautious about. For instance, the consumption of acidic fruits is believed to enhance the whitening process, but applying these fruits directly to the teeth is considered a wrong decision.

Given acidic fruits, such as lemons, oranges, limes, and plums, are low in PH, they’re effective in triggering an erosive process of the enamel. Once the process of erosion takes place, it causes a variety of other dental issues like cavities, gum recession, tooth sensitivity, etc. See this link, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326022, for an explanation of the treatment and prevention of receding gums.

Ignoring after-care instructions

Once the teeth-whitening process is finished, the majority of people return to their previous eating and drinking habits despite the concise after-care instructions. By not taking proper after-care of your smile, there will be no results to show. Hence, make sure you avoid specific beverages like red wine, coffee, and tea for at least several days after the treatment. The same goes for acidic drinks, sodas, and other types of sugary beverages.

Smokers are recommended to refrain from smoking for a minimum of twenty-four hours following the procedure. Certain foods and beverages, however, should be consumed immediately after the treatment, such as chicken, potatoes, milk, rice, cheese, etc.

Not practicing teeth whitening regularly

One of the worst teeth-whitening mistakes is considering teeth whitening as a one-time treatment, providing long-term results. Nevertheless, in order to maintain a white smile, people are expected to whiten their teeth every six months or sooner, based on their habits of eating teeth-staining foods. The more teeth-staining ingredients you consume, the sooner you’ll have to repeat the process.

Furthermore, people who don’t consume plenty of coffee, black tea, or red wine would keep the whiteness of their smile longer. In contrast, smokers are likely to have their teeth stained once again only after a short period. It’s worth remembering that no type of bleaching provides permanent results. Whether you are using a natural method or professional treatment, the results would still fade after a certain period.