Teeth Whitening Mistakes

One of the most attractive accessories that you can wear, and one that will complement any outfit, is a beautiful smile. A bright, white smile is the symbol of youth and good health. Millions of Americans choose to whiten their smiles each year throughout the United States, some having the procedure done professionally and others doing it at home. There are benefits to both options:

Professional whitening – one appointment, about an hour of your time, able to achieve remarkable results.

At-home whitening – your own convenience, less expensive, can achieve desired results.

With the advancements in at-home whitening products, it is no surprise that many people have chosen to whiten their teeth on their own. Yet, in order to avoid damaging your teeth and ending up with unwanted results, it is important to avoid these common teeth whitening mistakes:

• Not seeking dental advice before you begin. Your dentist is the expert on your teeth. Your dentist can give you advice on how to properly whiten your teeth, and it is your dentist who will let you know if your teeth are healthy enough for whitening at home.
• Not reading the directions and not following them. The most common reason for damage by at-home teeth whitening products is caused by users not reading the directions fully and by users not following the directions exactly. Leaving a whitening product on for longer than directed will not whiten your teeth faster or more. In fact, overuse of whitening products will cause adverse results such as white spots on the teeth and gums, uneven whitening, weakened tooth enamel, and extreme tooth sensitivity.
• By taking a “one size fits all” approach. There is no single solution that will work for every person. Using whitening trays that are not customized for your own mouth will not allow for even coverage of the whitening gel, or it will cause the gel to ooze out and cause unwanted results.

At Green Dental of Alexandria, we are more than happy to help you achieve a beautiful, radiant smile. For more information on teeth whitening in our office or with at-home products, contact us today.