There’s a wealth of information in ads, magazines, on TV and on the Internet about teeth whitening, but it is important to separate fact from fiction.
Myths about Teeth Whitening include:
- All teeth whiten the same;
- Once my teeth are whitened, they will stay bright forever;
- Whitening toothpastes bleach teeth;
- Dental insurance will pay for tooth whitening.
Teeth whitening is a common cosmetic dentistry procedure used to lighten or whiten the shade of the teeth. Every year, thousands, if not millions, of people spend the combined amount of over $10 billion on cosmetic teeth whitening procedures.
If you are thinking of getting your teeth whitened, you should first see your dentist to have you teeth checked for cavities and gum disease. Your dentist can also clean your teeth to remove any surface stains.
Below are 5 Myths About Teeth Whitening.
1. “Dental insurance will pay for teeth whitening.” Unfortunately, teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by most dental insurance plans.
2. “Whitening toothpastes bleach teeth.” Very few — if any — whitening toothpastes can chemically whiten your teeth. In fact, most — if not all — of the whitening toothpastes contain only mechanical, abrasive products that help you scrub off surface stains when brushing.
3. “Once my teeth are whitened, they will stay white forever.” After you get your teeth whitened, you will have to continually maintain your whitening results by periodically using whitening treatments at home. Otherwise, your teeth will slowly darken over time. Avoiding intensely colored beverages such as coffee, tea, wine, or orange juice can prolong the whitening results.
4. “All teeth whitening gels are the same.” There is a wide range in teeth whitening product strength. The strongest whitening gels are used by the dentist for in-office whitening procedures. The next strongest whitening gels are given to you by your dentist to be used at home. The weakest gels are bought over-the-counter.
5. “Veneers, crowns, and tooth-colored fillings will be whitened just like my teeth.” If you have veneers, crowns, or tooth-colored fillings and whiten your teeth, you may be disappointed after whitening that your dental work no longer matches the color of your teeth. This is because the whitening gel does not affect the shade of your restorations. If you need veneers, crowns, or fillings, ask your dentist if you can wait until after teeth whitening to do them. Otherwise, you may need to get them redone after your teeth are whitened.