TEETH WHITENING – UNDERSTANDING THE PROS AND THE CONS

As you age, very often your teeth will slowly gain color that you may not like. Everybody prefers to have those pearly white, shiny teeth, but habits such as coffee and tea drinking, or other dietary options, may put you out of reach of that. There are options available for you if you wish to get whiter teeth and counter the staining. Teeth whitening in Albuquerque is as easy as visiting your local dentist, such as Northtowne Dental, but what are the pros and cons of teeth whitening?

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

When you go into a dental office for teeth whitening in Albuquerque, a trained dental assistant and dentist will perform cosmetic dentistry on your teeth. The procedure often takes about an hour, and it uses whitening products that contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide bleaching agents. This results in teeth that appear whiter and brighter. There are also at-home options available, both as gels and special strips.

The Pros of Teeth Whitening

Like many procedures, there are pros and cons when it comes to teeth whitening in Albuquerque. Starting with the pros, the biggest benefit you will see is that you will most likely have brighter and whiter teeth—exactly what you wanted. Having whiter teeth comes with a lot of benefits in and of itself, such as higher appeal to other people, both personally and professionally. Confidence is also a bonus to teeth whitening; after a procedure, most people will feel more confident smiling and interacting with other people.

Cons of Teeth Whitening

Since teeth whitening in Albuquerque does use chemicals in the cosmetic dentistry process, there are some inherent side effects. Gum irritation and tooth sensitivity can occur during the process, and for a few days after as well. However, gum irritation is often caused by ill-fitting whitening trays rather than the whitening agents. With strong bleaching agents, soft tissue chemical burns can occur on the gums, as well as a burning sensation in the throat and an upset stomach. Also, there is still controversy over teeth whitening worldwide as to whether the process weakens the enamel of the teeth and other physical structures, so consult your dentist.

Safety Concerns

While the best option for getting teeth whitening in Albuquerque is to do it in a dental office, there are at-home options that many people will use. Always be sure to read the full instructions before teeth whitening. Peroxide-based teeth whitening is generally safe and comes in a variety of forms, but you should still be supervised by an oral healthcare provider. Always consult your dentist before attempting teeth whitening at home.

Is Teeth Whitening for Me?

Whether you are looking for the pros of the teeth whitening in Albuquerque or not, teeth whitening may not be right for you. While teeth whitening agents will whiten the enamel of your teeth, they won’t whiten any crowns, fillings, veneers and caps; if you have any on your front teeth, it may not be worth your while. As well, discoloration that is brown or gray, or that is caused by injury or medication, may not be lightened by the teeth whitening process.

Teeth Whitening Frequency

Most teeth whitening in Albuquerque procedures are going to be effective for about a year; however, they could fade in as little as a month. It’ll all depend on the type of product you used, as well as your habits, such as coffee or tea drinking. You should consult your dentist for their recommendations.

Teeth Whitening by Professionals

After knowing the pros and cons of teeth whitening, if you have decided that it is for you, then you should book an appointment for a consultation with Northtown Dental to determine the options for teeth whitening in Albuquerque that will be best for you.