Teeth whitening targets the discolouration in the teeth and help get a whiter and healthier smile. Teeth whitening can help to get rid of everyday food and drink stains to enhance the overall appearance. Teeth whitening is a simple process, the dentist would use a bleaching product to bleach the stains and break them into smaller pieces. We are here to debunk some of the myths surrounding teeth whitening.
1. Teeth whitening will make my teeth too sensitive.
Teeth whitening will make your teeth sensitive but only temporarily. Teeth sensitivity usually occur when the bleaching products penetrate the layers of the tooth structure. The sensitivity that you feel after the teeth whitening treatment only lasts a few days. The sensitivity would be most present on the first day and it would subside over the next few days. The sensitivity should not be a major concern as it would be over within a week.
2. Teeth whitening toothpaste work as well as a professional whitening treatment
Teeth whitening toothpaste works but not as well as professional whitening treatments. Whitening toothpaste works better as compared to regular toothpaste in removing surface stains. When using toothpaste, it is important to take note that it can take up to several weeks to see the results. In general, teeth whitening would not be able to give you the dramatic change you want to see whereas a professional tooth whitening treatment has stronger products to tackle the tough stains. Going to a professional would also be worth the extra money for a safe and long-lasting result.
3. Acidic fruits such as oranges and strawberries can help you whiten your teeth
It is a popular belief that acidic fruits like oranges and strawberries can help to whiten your teeth. However, there is no scientific evidence that they can help remove stains. Eating too many acidic fruits can cause the tooth enamel to wear away slowly leading to dental erosion and tooth sensitivity. It might be tempting to try a DIY whitening method at home but it’s better to avoid it as it does more harm than good.
4. Whiter teeth mean healthy teeth / Yellow teeth are unhealthy
Having whiter teeth does not mean they are healthy and having yellow teeth does not mean they are unhealthy. You might be wondering why your teeth are still yellow even though you are practising good oral hygiene. The enamel on the tooth surface has a natural hue of white, however, the underlying dentin layer has a slightly yellowish colour. This can make the teeth appear to be discoloured. As long as you go for a routine dental check-up, there is no need to worry about having unhealthy teeth when you’re in the hands of a professional.
- Teeth whitening can remove all stains on your teeth
Teeth whitening can remove most stains but it is also dependent on the type of stains you have. External tooth discolouration like food and drinks stains can be easily removed with the help of teeth whitening products or professional whitening treatments. For internal tooth discolouration, they can’t be removed with regular over-the-counter products. These types of stains are caused by high levels of fluoride, tetracycline, and other dental issues. Even with the help of professional teeth whitening, the results may not be as prominent.
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