Even after using store-bought teeth whitening strips for a while, you might notice that some dental discoloration doesn’t go away. Your first thought might be to use the strips more often to see if that fights the stains more effectively. Unfortunately, not only is this unlikely to make a difference, but it could also end up harming your smile in the process. When considering teeth whitening in Edmond, it’s important to know the risk of overusing store-bought products; read on to learn more about these risks as well as why professional whitening may ultimately be a safer, more beneficial option.
What Happens When You Overuse Whitening Products?
First of all, it’s important to note that using store-bought products more often will have little to no effect on their ability to remove discoloration. In many cases, the particles causing tooth stains are beneath the enamel where the ingredients in conventional whitening strips and toothpastes can’t reach them. As such, it won’t matter how much exposure you have to the product in question because it will never reach the underlying source of discoloration in the first place.
However, that’s not to say that overusing whitening strips doesn’t have any effect on the teeth. Over time, it could increase your risk for tooth sensitivity and might even start doing permanent damage to the enamel itself. While some sensitivity is normal at the beginning of a teeth-whitening regimen and should subside over time, using whitening products more often could eventually turn it into a chronic problem.
Is Professional Whitening Safer?
In many cases, you can avoid the worst side effects of store-bought whitening simply by carefully following the manufacturer’s instructions. However, the safest whitening treatments are always those that have the oversight of a cosmetic dentist in Edmond. Professional whitening products that have been approved by the ADA are generally much safer, and you’ll have an expert on hand to ensure that they are being applied to the teeth correctly. A good cosmetic dentist will only offer whitening options that have a strong basis in research and evidence. They also have firsthand knowledge of your teeth and dental history and can plan the treatment accordingly.
Furthermore, professional whitening solutions are more effective in general because they use highly concentrated ingredients capable of penetrating the enamel. Not only does this mean they can get rid of a wider variety of stains, but they also tend to yield longer-lasting results, meaning you can get more mileage out of a significantly brighter smile.
If you’re unhappy with your smile, schedule a cosmetic consultation with your dentist right away. Having a dental expert you can trust by your side from the beginning to the end of the procedure can make all the difference in the world when it comes to creating a brighter smile.
About the Author
Dr. M. Kent Smith has enjoyed helping patients repair and refresh their smile ever since opening his Edmond office in 1988. When planning cosmetic treatments for his patients, he always takes their unique needs into account before creating fully customized plans that yield one-of-a-kind results. His practice offers the Sinsational Smile whitening procedure, which yields results in around 20 minutes with far less sensitivity compared to other whitening methods. If you have questions or concerns about teeth whitening, you can schedule an appointment with him by visiting his website or calling (405) 341-7773.