When you’re seeking to whiten something as permanent as your adult teeth, it makes sense to mindfully do your research.
That’s why we really appreciate it when our patients open up a conversation about teeth whitening before making the choice of which treatment is right for them. Not only do you want to ensure your whitening treatment works as intended, but you also want to avoid treatments that can have unintended consequences on your pearly whites!
To help you make the most informed decision for yourself, we’re going to cover the impact teeth whitening can have on your teeth (besides the whitening itself!) and how you can make sure to choose a whitening agent that gives you a bright, white smile without negatively affecting your oral health.
Is whitening safe for teeth?
The short answer here is yes! Teeth whitening treatments have been around for decades, and many studies, as well as anecdotal evidence, point to its safety and efficacy. Or at least it does for professional, dentist-recommended whitening methods. As with so many things these days, there are many internet “home remedies” claiming fast and effective teeth whitening—but with no science to back them up.
That’s why we always recommend talking to your dentist before embarking on any at-home whitening treatments.
Types of teeth whitening
There are two main types of whitening available:
- Professionally applied – These are treatments that are done in the dentist’s chair and every dentist has their preferred whitening products. At Coaldale Dental, for example, we offer our patients Philips Zoom! WhiteSpeed because of its extremely effective results!
- At-home – These are treatments completed by you in the comfort of your home. They can be further broken down into over-the-counter whitening agents, DIY remedies (which we hightly caution against), and whiteners supplied by your dentist—also available with Philips Zoom! WhiteSpeed.
Typically, professionally applied whitening agents are the strongest and make the most noticeable difference in the colour of your teeth in the shortest amount of time. However, both dentist-supplied and over-the-counter teeth whiteners can also help brighten your smile. At-home treatments are typically administered over a longer span of time, and with less vivid results.
However, as we mentioned above, we recommend staying away from at-home remedies, such as activated charcoal. These treatments are not scientifically tested and can even do unforeseen damage to your teeth. When in doubt, check with your friendly neighbourhood Coaldale dentist! 😉
Side effects of teeth whitening
While scientifically-tested whitening agents are safe, they can bring with them a few side effects, one of the most common being tooth sensitivity. If you already suffer from tooth sensitivity or are concerned about it, consult with your dentist before applying any tooth whitening products.
Often they will be able to provide treatments that can offset these sensitivities so you can get whiter teeth without worrying about enjoying your favourite cold or hot foods!
Find the right teeth whitening treatment for you
At Coaldale dental, we work with Phillips Zoom! Whitespeed to get your teeth brighter faster! It’s proven to be a gentle yet highly effective teeth whitening solution to help you feel more confident with your natural smile. We’ve had great feedback about the process and the results — so contact us today about how we can help create your brightest smile yet!