Here at the Boston dental office, we receive many calls regarding teeth whitening. People have many questions . . . which concerns me because of all the procedures a dentist, periodontist, or oral surgeon can perform on you, teeth whitening is the absolute safest.
Because I firmly believe in educating people about the dentistry options available, here are the myths and the facts about teeth whitening (in no particular order).
Myth Busters:
The Facts About Teeth Whitening
 By Dr. Helaine Smith
Myth: The blue light used is a laser.
Fact: The blue light is a metal halide UV light, not a laser. Dentists and those offering teeth whitening at the mall use this light to help break down the hydrogen peroxide. As it breaks down, oxygen is released into the air. The peroxide molecules then oxidize the pigmented compounds trapped in the tooth's enamel into colorless by-products -- thus producing a lightening effect on the teeth.
Myth: Professional whitening is more effective than Crest White Strips.
Fact: Both types of treatment work equally as well. The benefit of having your teeth professionally whitened is two-fold: you have a dentist ensuring you're a good candidate for teeth whitening, and professional whitening is faster (45 minutes versus weeks of at-home treatments).
Myth: Teeth whitening hurts.
Fact: Gums and teeth can be very sensitive to the hydrogen peroxide. Gums and teeth can be very sensitive to the hydrogen peroxide. Most tooth whitening procedures increase teeth sensitivity for twenty-four hours until the teeth become remineralized by saliva. When you use OTC white strips on daily basis, however, your teeth are sensitive to the strips' 6% hydrogen peroxide for the entire month. Ouch!
Myth: You will achieve a movie star smile -- whiter than white.
Fact: Whether you go the professional route or use OTC strips, your teeth never become so white that you glow like stars in the TV show Friends. Our teeth are not naturally white -- they are either a shade of yellow, brown or gray. Coffee, wine and tea do not really darken teeth, they just create an extrinsic stain which is easily polished off. However, you still have the same color teeth. Teeth also become more yellow as we age as the enamel thins and the dentin, which is yellow, thickens.
Myth: The whitening goes away after a short period of time.
Fact: You can maintain your new smile for about 18 months. If you use OTC white strips a few nights every month, the whiteness may last a little longer. You can have your teeth whitened more than once.
Myth: Anyone can get their teeth whitened.
Fact: If your front teeth have been capped or you have crowns, teeth whitening will not work for you. A crown, which is a synthetic material, cannot be whitened. I also advise that pregnant and lactating women hold off on getting their teeth whitened until a later date.
Myth: Only dentists can perform teeth whitening procedures.
Fact: You can now get your teeth whitened at special kiosks at the mall and even at gyms! However, the technicians who perform the procedure are not dentists -- or even medical experts, which is why the procedure often costs much less than what you would get at a dental office. Teeth whitening techs are not allowed to put their fingers in your mouth and must use "trays" that you insert into your mouth yourself.
If you do have your teeth whitened outside of a dental office, make sure the tech changes gloves between each procedure, that the area is clean and well-lit, and that the company doing the whitening isn't marketing "laser whitening" or other inaccuracies.
Call today for your consultation.
If you live in the Boston area, you can now receive the most advanced, up-to-date full-mouth reconstruction, periodontal, and cosmetic dentistry treatment options available -- all at one location.
To learn more about how Dr. Helaine Smith can give you a stunning smile that will last a lifetime, please call Mary, our office concierge, to set up your private consultation:
By phone: 617.327.1350
Through our Website: www.helainesmithdmd.com
Email: helainesmithdmd@aol.com
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