Snow-white teeth are a marker of beauty and success, so all available methods are used: from homemade recipes to >professional whitening. As for the latter, there are many myths around the procedure. In this article, we will confirm or refute the most common of them.
Teeth whitening makes enamel vulnerable – a myth
The desire to have a dazzling smile is one of the most popular requests from clients of dental clinics. But many fear that after the procedure, the enamel will become weak and sensitive. The methods that are used in aesthetic dentistry today affect the dentin pigment, not the enamel itself. Moreover, before whitening, the dentist will conduct an examination and, if necessary, prescribe treatment. The procedure does not pose any danger to the enamel.
Professional hygienic cleaning – the same whitening – a myth
Professional teeth cleaning is the first mandatory step before the whitening procedure. And yet – this is a procedure that absolutely everyone needs to go through every six months. Cleaning allows you to get rid of soft plaque and tartar. As a result of the procedure, the enamel becomes a natural color, but this has nothing to do with whitening.
Whitening is far from a painless procedure – true
As far as pain goes, that’s partly true. But the matter is rather not in the procedure itself, but in the post-procedural mode, during which there may be a reaction to hot and cold on the first day after whitening. After the procedure, the doctor will treat the surface of the enamel with a special gel that reduces & nbsp; sensitivity and recommend the appropriate toothpaste and rinse. Is it possible to whiten teeth often? Yes, but not more than once a year.
After bleaching, you need to follow a special diet – really
During the first week after the procedure, you must follow a certain diet, or rather avoid products that stain the enamel. These include black tea, coffee, red wine, chocolate, beets, etc. You can learn more about what you can and cannot learn from our other articles.
All teeth can be whitened – a myth
Unfortunately, not all teeth can be whitened. For example, if there are stains from taking medications on the surface of the enamel, then it is impossible to get rid of them with the help of bleaching (in this case, veneers are just right). Also, the procedure is not carried out with caries, cracks and inflammation of the gums. In these cases, you should first sanitize the oral cavity.
Whitening can be done at home – true
There are a huge number of home whitening products – these are strips, and hydrogen peroxide, and soda, and even activated charcoal. But if the strips do not cause concern, since they were developed specifically for independent use, then other methods are in doubt. Although the above methods help in whitening, their frequent or incorrect use can severely damage the enamel and gums. It is better not to resort to independent whitening methods without first consulting a doctor, so that the desired result does not upset you.
The smile will be like that of Hollywood actors – a myth
If Megan Fox or Tom Cruise is your standard smile, and you expect your smile to be the same after bleaching, we will disappoint you a little. What we see in almost all celebrities are veneers (ceramic onlays). Whitening allows you to lighten your teeth by 2-8 tones.
The effect of whitening lasts a lifetime – a myth
Alas, this is not so. Eating habits, smoking, ecology – all this reduces the whiteness of the teeth to nothing. No matter how hard a person tries, plaque forms on the teeth over time. Professional cleanings will help to keep the effect longer, but for a flawless result, whitening must be carried out again. You can find out how often this can be done here .
Teeth whitening has contraindications – true
The procedure cannot be carried out with:
- presence of caries
- cracks, non-carious enamel lesions
- dental sensitivity
- acute course of periodontitis
- pregnancy and lactation;
It is also not recommended to carry out the procedure for people under the age of 16, due to the fact that before this age, the enamel of the teeth has not yet fully formed.
