Are You A Candidate For Teeth Whitening?

Do you want to have bright white teeth that will allow you to flash your smile without feeling self-conscious?

Well, a teeth whitening procedure is a great way to lighten your teeth and remove any stains and discolorations they may have.

The truth is our teeth tend to become discolored due to what we consume such as

• dark-colored berries,
• stain-causing beverages,
• excessive tobacco consumption,
• certain types of medication and
• too much fluoride. 

Injuries to the teeth and natural aging are also factors that discolor your teeth.

A lot of people nowadays are opting to have their teeth whitened to keep their smile shining brightly.

So are you an eligible candidate for teeth whitening?

Here are Seven Factors Which Determine if Your a Candidate for Teeth Whitening

1. Are You Allergic and Sensitive to Chemicals?

Also, if you happen to be allergic to peroxide then you shouldn’t use any whitening products. This is because peroxide is generally used as the whitening agent in most of these products.

This will only heighten the level of peroxide sensitivity you already experience.

2. Are You Suffering From Periodontal Disease, Exposed Roots or Cavities?

Anyone who suffers from periodontal disease, worn out enamel, exposed roots or cavities should not undergo any tooth whitening procedure. Cavities must be treated way before undergoing any teeth whitening procedure. 

This is due to the fact the whitening ointment penetrates into the existing decay as well as the inner areas of the teeth which increases sensitivity.

Also, teeth whitening procedures don’t tend to work on any exposed teeth roots as they don’t have a layer of enamel.

3. Are You Pregnant or Lactating?

Undergoing professional teeth whitening treatment is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women. Presently, there isn’t enough knowledge or research about it to determine its safety for them.

4. Have You Gone Through Any Restorative Dental Procedure Before?

If your teeth have already undergone restorative dental procedures such as fillings, veneers or been whitened with carbamide peroxide or hydrogen.

This results in an uneven whitening of your teeth which end up looking lighter than the rest of the teeth that have dental restorations.

5. What’s Your Age?

Undergoing professional teeth whitening treatment is usually not recommended for patients who are below 16 years of age. Primarily as the nerves of their teeth are still enlarged at this age.

This treatment only tends to irritate the pulp which increases dental sensitivity.

6. Do You Have Worn Out Tooth Enamel?

If your tooth enamel has become so worn out the dentin (hard, dense, bony tissue forming the bulk of a tooth beneath the enamel) is showing through in yellow circles and whitening can’t really make a difference.

Even if a single one of your teeth happens to be discolored then the whitening treatment may not be as effective.

7. Internally Stained Teeth or Tooth Discoloration

Your teeth will probably not be affected by the normal whitening process if they have internal staining, are discolored due to developmental conditions or if they’ve been root canalled.

You may then have to consider either internal tooth whitening or permanent restorations.

Professional teeth whitening is a great way to improve your smile and get sparkling white teeth. If you’re still struggling on deciding whether you are an eligible candidate for teeth whitening or not then it’s best to choose your best teeth whitening dentist with care.

About the author

A dental marketer at Michael G. Long DDS, Fresno, CA and a believer in holistic health, Grace lives by the rule that health and happiness go hand in hand. She writes on various dental topics focusing on healthy living and holistic health. When she’s not working or blogging, she enjoys spending her time with her family and volunteering at the local youth centers where she educates children about the importance of health and fitness.