If you want to brighten your smile and enhance your confidence, teeth whitening in Knoxville, IL, can be a great treatment. With advanced technology, dental offices can brighten the shade of your teeth in less than an hour, leaving you with safe and long-lasting results.
However, there are risks associated with too much whitening, such as tooth and gum sensitivity, discoloration, and even enamel degradation. To get the bright smile you’ve been dreaming of—without damaging the health of your teeth—here’s what you should know.
Understanding the Importance of Choosing the Right Teeth Whitening Method
When it comes to whitening your teeth, you can get several types of treatment. From over-the-counter products, like whitening toothpaste and trays, to in-office whitening treatments, all of these help you achieve a whiter smile with different levels of effectiveness and their advantages and drawbacks.
The main difference between home whitening products and professional treatment lies in their durability:
- Over-The-Counter Whitening Trays and Strips: Home teeth whitening products combat stains using peroxide to bleach yellow stains or abrasion to remove tough stains. When used appropriately, they can achieve positive results, but these can last from a few months to a year.
- In-Office Whitening Procedure: A whitening treatment performed by your dentist is safer and more efficient. Moreover, your results can last between one to two years.
The Right Teeth Whitening Frequency
Depending on the method you use for teeth whitening and the state of your teeth, the right frequency will vary. For in-office treatments, waiting at least 6 to 12 months between sessions is typically recommended to allow your teeth and gums to recover. If you're using over-the-counter products, it may be more or less depending on the strength.
However, the problem with these last options is that results tend to last less than the recommended usage frequency, easily leading to overuse. Because of that, choosing the right teeth whitening method is fundamental to prevent damage.
How You Know if You’ve Gone Too Far
You may experience some adverse effects if you have over-whitened your teeth with products you use at home. Some of these are:
- Teeth appear translucent instead of white. Overexposure to peroxide can cause this discoloration, which starts to appear around the edges of your teeth and can be irreversible.
- Gums are swollen, sensitive, and red. Additionally, you may have discomfort in your throat and mouth.
- Your teeth are becoming more sensitive. This will be particularly apparent when consuming hot liquids or cold foods like ice cream or apples.
- Your dentist may observe that your tooth enamel is eroding. Once lost, enamel cannot regrow on its own, making teeth more vulnerable to decay.
Stopping the products right away is the best way to end discomfort. The majority of symptoms should go away in the days that follow. Consult your dentist if you continue to feel sensitive and uncomfortable.
Get a Safe Teeth Whitening in Knoxville, IL
It is crucial to speak with your dentist to find the ideal whitening procedure for your unique requirements and to ensure that you do not damage your teeth or gums. Frequent dental examinations can help you keep an eye on your oral health and decide when it is time for another teeth-whitening procedure.
If you’re interested in learning more about how we ensure safety during our teeth whitening methods, contact Smalltown Dental!
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