Top Ten Myths
More people can get their teeth whitened as technology has advanced in product development. Prices have dropped and people can have their teeth whitened at home with spending lots of money at the dentist. Over the counter products are available to the public at a small cost. Like anything, the more popular the more myths about the product are present. Below you will find the top 10 myths about teeth whitening:
1. The teeth will stay white forever.
Once they are whitened you need to maintain them in order to keep them white. Don’t fall back into bad habits: not brushing, smoking, eating/drinking the wrong foods that can yellow your teeth. With maintenance, your white teeth will last.
2. People of all ages can get their teeth whitened.
Untrue, children can’t have their teeth whitened because they are still developing.
3. It is weeks before results.
This is true of the OTC products, but dentist visits are more dramatic and you see results in hours.
4. The whitening procedure hurts.
Sensitivity may occur from the hydrogen peroxide. The increased sensitivity lasts for 24 hrs. Get your teeth checked for exposed roots, cavities before the process.
5. The brightness disappears quickly.
Untrue---in fact the whitening should last 18 mts with maintenance. If you use OTC products the whitening could last longer with monthly treatments.
6. All my veneers, filling, crowns, caps etc will get whitened with my teeth.
Untrue, those repairs will not whiten but may turn a different shade. Get your repair work done before you have your teeth whitened, so the dentist can match the shades.
7. I can use toothpaste with bleaching agents instead of tooth whitening.
Almost all toothpaste today doesn’t really have bleaching agents. They contain abrasives like baking soda that remove build-up and minor stains.
8. My dental insurance will cover my teeth whitening.
Teeth’s whitening is not reimbursable by insurance because it is considered cosmetic.
9. Teeth whiten the same.
Untrue—gray teeth don’t whiten the same as yellow teeth. Yellow teeth will whiten a few shades unlike gray teeth.
10. All gels are the same.
This is somewhat false—the composition of the gel is the same, the strength varies.
1. The teeth will stay white forever.
Once they are whitened you need to maintain them in order to keep them white. Don’t fall back into bad habits: not brushing, smoking, eating/drinking the wrong foods that can yellow your teeth. With maintenance, your white teeth will last.
2. People of all ages can get their teeth whitened.
Untrue, children can’t have their teeth whitened because they are still developing.
3. It is weeks before results.
This is true of the OTC products, but dentist visits are more dramatic and you see results in hours.
4. The whitening procedure hurts.
Sensitivity may occur from the hydrogen peroxide. The increased sensitivity lasts for 24 hrs. Get your teeth checked for exposed roots, cavities before the process.
5. The brightness disappears quickly.
Untrue---in fact the whitening should last 18 mts with maintenance. If you use OTC products the whitening could last longer with monthly treatments.
6. All my veneers, filling, crowns, caps etc will get whitened with my teeth.
Untrue, those repairs will not whiten but may turn a different shade. Get your repair work done before you have your teeth whitened, so the dentist can match the shades.
7. I can use toothpaste with bleaching agents instead of tooth whitening.
Almost all toothpaste today doesn’t really have bleaching agents. They contain abrasives like baking soda that remove build-up and minor stains.
8. My dental insurance will cover my teeth whitening.
Teeth’s whitening is not reimbursable by insurance because it is considered cosmetic.
9. Teeth whiten the same.
Untrue—gray teeth don’t whiten the same as yellow teeth. Yellow teeth will whiten a few shades unlike gray teeth.
10. All gels are the same.
This is somewhat false—the composition of the gel is the same, the strength varies.
