Top teeth whitening myths debunked!

Teeth whitening can harm your enamel 

Teeth whitening treatment involves bleaching your teeth to make them lighter. There is a misconception that the treatment is done through removing a layer of the enamel to expose a clean white layer. This is not the case, as the bleach causes the pores of the teeth to open, allowing the cleaning chemicals to get in your teeth, where the stains reside.

Anyone can get their teeth whitened 

Tooth whitening doesn’t work for everyone. Your dentist will be able to determine if teeth whitening is the best option for you. As a rule of thumb, whitening products work best on yellow and brown stained-teeth, it won’t improve greyish colours. Also, it won’t work on crowns, filling and dentures. Like all treatments, whitening products have side effects. There’s a chance your gums will be sensitive to some of the whitening kits. Your dentist will help you decide the best action to take. Different treatments like veneers could be a better choice. 

The results of teeth whitening are permanent 

The whitening effect won’t last forever because our teeth are continuously stained by the food we eat, from wine, coffee and smoking. Teeth whitening treats the stains you already have, but it can’t repel future ones. So, avoiding certain foods and drink will make the effects last longer.

Gels purchased online are the same as professional gels

Although all gels are made from a base of carbamide or hydrogen peroxide, they each have different levels of ingredient. Professional gels tend be stronger which often speeds up the whitening process. It’s best to get a whitening gel from your dentist, as they use high-quality products. They can be personalised depending on the patient’s needs and your dentist can tell you how to use and store the gel properly.