Teeth Whitening: The Pros and Cons.

What are the pros and cons of teeth whitening??

In the previous article, we shed some light on tooth bleaching, generally known as teeth whitening. Here, we take a look at the pros and cons of this cosmetic procedure.

PROS:?

Your teeth become whiter:

When you decide to bleach your teeth, the aim is to make them much whiter than they presently are. Truly, you are likely to get this result. In this case, you get the sparkling teeth you desire!

It boosts your confidence:

Looking good boosts confidence, and having a white set of teeth does the same. Psychologically, when you are aware that you have very white teeth, your confidence increases and you smile more readily.?

CONS:?

Your teeth may not be whiter:

However, depending on the condition of your teeth, when you opt for bleaching, you may not get that desired result. This is because, especially if your teeth are very discoloured, some discolorations do not respond to bleaching. In short, not all teeth can be whitened! This is why it is important to consult a professional in order to ascertain whether you truly need to bleach your teeth or not before going ahead and doing so.

The effect is not permanent:

While the effect of bleaching is there for all to see, it does not last forever. The whitening effect of the bleaching agent should usually last a relatively long time. However, the conditions you expose the teeth to after this procedure determine if the effect will last this long. Intake of drinks like tea, coffee, and red wine, smoking, and other habits are likely to reduce the length of the effect.

It causes tooth sensitivity:

One of the common side effects of tooth bleaching is tooth sensitivity. Since the agent used for the bleaching is an acid, it is likely to erode some parts of the tooth surfaces, and when this happens, the inner layers of the teeth are exposed, leading to “electric shocks” in your teeth, which can be as bad as occurring even when your mouth and the teeth are exposed to air.?Click here to read more about tooth sensitivity.

It can damage your gums!

If the bleaching procedure is not done by a professional, there is a chance that soft tissues in the mouth will be damaged. The agent used for this procedure is acidic. Usually, your gums and other soft tissues in your mouth should be properly protected from it. If this is not properly done, part of the acid can seep onto the gums or other soft tissues in the mouth, and you know what acids can do! They can cause damage that may be permanent.

The colour of tooth fillings will not change:

In case you have some fillings or other tooth restorations, like crowns or bridges, on your teeth, that are not white, you can be assured that the tooth bleaching agent will have no whitening effect on these materials, and they will remain the same colour, while your natural teeth become whiter.

Excessive bleaching can occur:?

If the bleaching agent is too concentrated, is left on the teeth for too long, or is applied too many times, the teeth may become excessively bleached. This can give your teeth an unnatural colour that may be impossible to reverse.

It is, therefore, important to contact a dentist if or when you consider bleaching your teeth. They will suggest actions in your best interest, and they will certainly do a professional job when there is a need to bleach your teeth.

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