If you’ve always been a bit self-conscious about your teeth, you most probably have considered doing a DIY teeth whitening treatment. However, despite being an affordable option, it can cause serious damage to your teeth. With this said, please consider the following before pushing through with this type of teeth whitening in Knoxville, IL.
Issues Caused by DIY Teeth Whitening
Cannot Whiten Dental Fillings
Most people don’t know that DIY teeth whitening doesn’t affect fillings or other types of dental substances glued to the teeth. The bleaching agent is not made to whiten these certain types of materials. This is why you can’t completely achieve that beautiful white smile.
Tooth Sensitivity
Although the stains you notice on your teeth appear to be on the tooth enamel, the problem extends far deeper within the tooth, down to the dentin. The bleach formula should react and open the pores in the enamel to transfer the whitening ingredients straight to the dentin. If you use the whitening products incorrectly, these pores will remain open which will cause extreme hot and cold sensitivity in the future.
Over-Exposing your Teeth
To reduce over-exposing your tooth enamel to the bleaching solution, your dentist will thoroughly evaluate the treatment length at each visit. They will also use their professional skills and training to accurately determine the number of whitening sessions so you can achieve your desired tooth shade. Going through this step on your own can result in unnaturally white teeth that are extremely sensitive to cold and hot sensations.
Inconsistent Whitening Results
Cosmetic dentists apply the bleaching formula to the surface of your teeth with the right degree of care and skill. They will use a brush to get into the nooks and crannies. When doing DIY teeth whitening, you are more likely to overlook these areas, resulting in outcomes that fall short of your expectations. You may notice uneven spots or dark areas on your teeth if the whitening formula did not reach the dentin layer.
Inability to Combat Long-Term Stains
The latest teeth whitening techniques are intended to provide long-term results. Professional whitening treatments are more effective than DIYs in terms of removing hard and stubborn stains.
With an at-home whitening treatment, the most you can do is to remove the discoloration as seen in your mirror. The lighting in the room may also affect the shade you see. You won’t be able to determine whether your teeth are whitened evenly and as what you want them to be.
More so, whitening treatments sometimes require regular touch-ups to see to it that you maintain those pearly whites. If you do this at home, there’s a huge possibility that you will damage your tooth enamel because of too many touch-ups.
Choose Professional Teeth Whitening in Knoxville, IL
If your teeth are discolored or not as white as you would like them to be, book an appointment with Smalltown Dental. Our dentists will evaluate your teeth and provide you with options on what you can do to whiten them.
If you have dental crowns, bridges, or implants, whitening does not change the color of these restorations. Our dental professionals will provide you with proper and safe treatment to achieve your desired teeth whitening results. Please schedule an appointment with us today!
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