Common Questions About Teeth Whitening

Everyone wants a smile that sparkles. In recent years, teeth whitening in Winnipeg has become a very popular and convenient way to enhance smiles and boost confidence. However, teeth whitening is also controversial for many reasons and comes with lots of questions. For this reason, our team at Greenwoods Dental has put together this blog post answering some of the most frequently asked questions that we get about teeth whitening near you.

What is Teeth Whitening?

In essence, teeth whitening is a process that “bleaches” your teeth, removing stains on the dentin and tooth enamel. Most of the time, a teeth whitening treatment uses peroxide to bleach the teeth.

What Causes Tooth Discoloration?

There are two main types of tooth discoloration, and different factors cause each:

Intrinsic stains: excessive fluoride exposure as a child, trauma, nerve degeneration, and aging are all causes of intrinsic discoloration.

Extrinsic stains: tobacco use, coffee, dark-colored juices, tea, and other dark substances are all causes of extrinsic discoloration.

While over-the-counter whitening products can remove extrinsic stains, only a professional whitening procedure performed by a dentist near you can remove both intrinsic and extrinsic stains. Additionally, the best way to know if you have intrinsic or extrinsic stains is to visit a dentist for a full examination.

Who is Eligible for Teeth Whitening?

Almost anyone can reap the benefits of teeth whitening. However, some people may find that teeth whitening is less effective for them. Patients who have teeth that are stained by tetracycline may not get their desired results. Additionally, patients who have crowns, fillings, or dental veneers may experience patchy results because these restorations will not whiten along with the natural teeth.

Can Nursing or Pregnant Women Bleach Their Teeth?

Our dentist in Winnipeg recommends that a pregnant or nursing mother should avoid teeth whitening. This is because there are no clinical studies yet to determine the effects of the bleaching agents on the baby’s health if the mother is nursing or pregnant.

Why Are There Uneven Results?

Typically the biting edges and sides of your teeth whiten faster than the rest. This is because there is thicker enamel in these spots. Teeth that have thicker enamel respond quicker to whitening treatment than those with thinner enamel. Typically, the whiteness will even out when you continue with the whitening procedure.

Is Teeth Whitening Safe?

The preferred teeth whitening procedure is a custom-fitted tray that uses peroxide. This procedure, when monitored by a dental professional, is safe. You do not have to worry about the bleaching agent harming your gums or teeth, and it will not damage your tooth enamel or weaken your tooth at all. When done with the supervision of a dental professional, the only short-term side effect that you may experience from teeth whitening is tooth sensitivity, which should fade within a few days of treatment.

Visit Greenwoods Dental

If you are interested in learning more about teeth whitening and how you can transform your smile with this innovative and convenient treatment, please get in touch with our team of dedicated dental professionals at Greenwoods Dental. Our team is happy to address any more questions or concerns that you may have about teeth whitening and get you started on your smile transformation journey. Please do not hesitate to book your consultation today!