Are You A Good Candidate for A Tooth Whitening Procedure? Find Out

Teeth whitening is an excellent way to brighten up your smile. However, there are a lot of important things you need to know about the teeth whitening procedure. Before you get too excited about getting a glistering smile, it is worth noting that the procedure does not always work for everybody. You won't always get the results you desired because of some factors that can affect the effectiveness of the procedure. For this reason, it is always important to have an idea of what may affect your candidacy regarding teeth whitening. Here are some of the key aspects that will determine whether or not you are a good candidate for a tooth whitening treatment.

Dental Health

Your general dental health is the first aspect to think about when considering teeth whitening treatment. Infections, cavities and periodontal diseases are some of the oral or dental health issues that will get in the way of the teeth whitening treatments. The treatment procedures or products used can cause irritation and sensitivity. Therefore, it is recommended that before you undergo a tooth whitening procedure, treat any underlying dental health problems first. If you are sensitive to teeth or have allergies to products, consult with the cosmetic dentist first.

Type of Stains

Teeth whitening treatment works by removing stains as well as discolouration on your teeth. Therefore, the kind of stains you have can make all the difference when it comes to the success of the treatment. Stains can be extrinsic or intrinsic. The former are stains on the surface of the enamel while the latter are those that rest below the surface. Extrinsic stains may appear yellow or yellow-brown and are often a result of dietary habits i.e. coffee and tea drinking. These types of stains will respond better and faster to whitening. However, intrinsic stains caused by heavy smoking and frequent tea and coffee drinking etc. will require more whitening applications. Even then, you may not achieve the results you desired because the teeth can brighten unevenly. Intrinsic stains are usually grey or grey-brown in colour.

Presence of Tooth Restorations Such as Fillings and Crowns

Teeth whitening products do not work on tooth restorations like crowns, veneers and fillings. If you have such restorations, a tooth whitening procedure will only result in uneven whitening. Therefore, when getting restoration treatments, consider whether you would want to whiten your teeth too. With your teeth already whitened, it would be easier to find restorative products that blend in perfectly with the colour of the teeth.


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