Are you tired of seeing yellow in your teeth each time you take a selfie? Thanks to cosmetic dentistry in Decatur, AL, you won’t have to live with this problem for the rest of your life. If you’ve decided to use a teeth whitening treatment to brighten your smile, you’re probably wondering if over-the-counter teeth whitening is the right choice for you.
A Closer Look at the Various Types of OTC Teeth Whitening Kits
Are you planning to get your smile ready for a big wedding or a job interview? If you regularly enjoy your cup of coffee or glass of red wine, you can’t expect to see a perfect set of stain-free teeth each time you smile. To fix your not-so-stellar smile, you may be tempted to head down to the nearest drugstore to purchase quick-fix stain treatments.
Unfortunately, the kickback of using these DIY kits can potentially be the cost to your oral health. According to experts, teeth whitening treatments should be carried out by a trained and qualified dental professional, regardless if it’s a professional at-home kit or an in-chair treatment.
Since the DIY products don’t have enough active ingredients of carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, they won’t be able to give you your desired results. What’s more, without your dentist’s supervision, these products also have the potential to cause considerable damage to your teeth and gums.
Do-It-Yourself UV Kits
If you think that do-it-yourself UV kits are safe, think again. Studies show that these can cause toothaches, mouth infections, nerve damage, gum-shrinking, and stomach issues. Since the risk of misuse is extremely high in the absence of your dentist’s supervision, an uneven spread of bleach can also cause patchy or spotted teeth.
Bicarbonate of Soda Toothpaste
While it’s true that bicarbonate of soda can help whiten your teeth in the short term, using a toothpaste that has this ingredient can damage your enamel. Its abrasive ingredients can weaken your teeth’s protective layer if you use this toothpaste repeatedly over time.
As a result, your teeth will become more sensitive and prone to develop decay and cavities. Since cavities are completely irreversible, these will only get worse if you’re planning to use fluoride-free toothpaste on a regular basis.
Whitening Pens
You may think that whitening your teeth with those paint-on teeth whitening pens is convenient, but due to the small percentage of active ingredients in the solution, you won’t see much improvement in the color of your teeth. Additionally, you may also experience tooth sensitivity and mild gum irritation.
Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is the practice that involves swishing a small amount of oil around your mouth for about 15 to 20 minutes to remove the stains on your teeth and to draw out toxins in your body. Although many celebrities endorse oil pulling to whiten teeth and enhance overall oral health, no scientific evidence supports these claims. If you’re planning to give this method a try, keep in mind that it won’t reverse cavity formation and it won’t provide you with lasting results.
Talk to an Expert in Cosmetic Dentistry in Decatur, AL!
At Terry Family Dentistry, we want you to achieve the kind of smile that you can be proud of. You can expect to receive quality service from our team of highly-trained dental professionals. Schedule your dental exam today!