Six questions to consider before you go for teeth whitening

Having shiny and pearly white teeth is something each of us craves. Although you may have heard a lot from your family and friends about teeth whitening procedure,  you may still have questions bothering you before your pay a visit to the dentist.  To solve your problem, we have come up with a list of questions which you need to ask your dentist at your first teeth whitening appointment:

1. Are my gums healthy or do they have any problem?

– If you have gum disease (gingivitis), teeth whitening is usually not recommended as the whitening materials can exacerbate the disease.

 

2. Do I have tooth decay and cavities? Will I need fillings, caps or extraction?

– If your teeth are decayed, the whitening solution can penetrate deep into the tooth or the roots and cause severe sensitivity. Hence, you will need a filling, crown or extraction if required.

 

3. A few of my teeth are sensitive. Can I still go for whitening?

–  It is advisable to resolve the sensitivity problem before you whiten your teeth as whitening procedure tends to worsen teeth sensitivity.

 

4. Do I have to change my old crown or veneers after whitening?

– We usually get to hear this question a lot in our office. The answer would be Yes. Old crown will look darker and stand out once the surrounding natural teeth are bright and shiny. You will have to replace them after the whitening procedure.

 

5. What options do I have for teeth whitening?

You generally have four options:

1. Over-the-counter whitening strips and gels
2. Over-the-counter tray bleaching systems (found commonly in drug stores)
3. Tray bleaching systems given by your dentist
4. Professional chair-side bleaching at the dentist’s office.

 

6. What are the disadvantages of whitening?

– Effect is not permanent, unlike veneers and crowns which can be cleaned and polished when faded.

– Effective only to certain types of staining like smoking, coffee or tea stains. Decolourization due to tetracycline cannot be resolved with teeth whitening.

– Leaching of the bleaching agent can cause irritation and damage to the surrounding gingiva.

– Can cause irreversible damage if the tooth surface is cracked or fractured. In such cases, tooth restoration should precede whitening procedure.

We are sure you may have many more such doubts about the procedure for which we will be glad to provide the right answers.Families from Berlin find the easy drive to Newington well worthwhile because of our friendly dental team and the relaxing disposition of Dr. Mukund. We’ve got the expertise and experience to provide you the best whitening solution.

For more information contact Green Meadow Dental, 3570 B Berlin Turnpike, Newington CT 06111, (860)-865-0056. We also serve patients from surrounding areas like Portland, Southington and Cromwell.