Teeth whitening myths: Fact or fiction regarding teeth whitening – it always hurts, it doesn’t really work, it’s not safe, it’s the only way to improve your smile, it’s only for celebrities, it isn’t affordable.
In today’s world, there’s a lot of information on a myriad of subjects floating around that simply isn’t true. And, unless you happen to be an expert on a particular topic it’s almost impossible to know when something’s correct, partly correct, or out-and-out wrong. It’s no wonder people have doubts and questions!
With that in mind, we’d like to explore a few of the most common misconceptions about teeth whitening. Granted, teeth whitening isn’t the most complicated subject we could be talking about but, it is one of the most frequent topics we receive questions about. It’s also one of the easiest ways available to help restore luster to a person’s smile and build or rebuild their confidence.
Myth – Teeth Whitening always hurts!
The short answer is, ‘no,’ whitening doesn’t always hurt. In fact, ‘hurt’ really isn’t the right word when you think of the term relative to being hit with a baseball bat! A more correct term would be ‘sensitive’ or ‘sensitivity.’
Any discomfort from teeth whitening is a result of a person’s sensitivity level, and everyone is different. Teeth have pores. Whitening products have activators that open those pores to allow a whitening agent to penetrate a tooth’s enamel and dentin. When those pores are open, they create access to the inside of the tooth that can be temporarily sensitive to air, pressure, hot, and cold. As the pores begin to close the sensitivity decreases. Once the pores close completely the sensitivity disappears. Some people never experience any sensitivity issues and some people do. For those who do have discomfort, it’s typically random twinges varying in intensity that come and go over a one-to-three-day period.
For more detailed information on whitening, along with ways to minimize or eliminate sensitivity, read our blog post entitled: Honestly, Does ZoomTM Whitening Hurt?
Myth – Teeth Whitening doesn’t really work!
Yes, it really does – if it’s done professionally. People who want a brighter smile have options when it comes to whitening. There are both professional and do-it-yourself products available. Just as with do-it-yourself methods, there are a number of different whitening processes dentists use professionally to help create that perfect-looking, healthy smile.
Professional processes use a higher concentration of whitening agents than that found in over-the-counter products, which means you’ll get a faster, quality result. In part, because of the higher concentration of whitening agents, professional products are either applied in your dentist’s office under supervision or provided as take-home options using supplied dental appliances (teeth trays), supervision, and guidelines. In either situation, the whitening agent stays in contact with your teeth longer to help create a brighter, longer-lasting smile. Professional-grade products also contain additional ingredients to help reduce or minimize any potential sensitivity issues that arise as a result of the whitening process.
Over-the-counter products generally take longer to produce results and don’t come close to what you can expect to get from a professional whitening experience. Part of the problem comes from a lower concentration of whitening agent used in these products, and the other part of the problem comes from the fact that the whitening agent doesn’t stay in contact with the teeth long enough to create the desired result because it’s usually diluted or washed away by a person’s saliva. Do-it-yourself products also come with the added risk of increased teeth sensitivity because they lack any of the additives professional products use to help lessen the temporary discomfort that can result from open pores in the teeth.
This teeth whitening myth is busted. Professional whitening services provide faster, brighter, longer-lasting smiles with less sensitivity issues!
Myth – Whitening isn’t safe!
Yes, it is – if it’s done by a dental professional or if you correctly use regulated over-the-counter products. The whitening process, whether you use professional services or do-it-yourself products, contains some type of whitening agent – typically a form of peroxide, which is either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. As discussed earlier, professional whitening services use a higher concentration of whitening agents than those used in over-the-counter products. Professional whitening applications, whether in-office or take at home, are completely safe when supervised by a dental professional. That’s because of the quality of the ingredients used and because your dentist is there to make sure that the peroxide whitening formula only comes into contact with the teeth (not the mouth and gums) and is only used for the prescribed amount of time.
Regulated over-the-counter products are also safe when used according to the manufacturer’s directions. Even though these products contain less concentrated whitening agents they can still be harmful to your mouth, gums, and teeth if they are misapplied or used incorrectly. And, unregulated whitening products (using harmful, caustic, or mystery ingredients) should be avoided altogether – no matter what kind of promises they make!
Teeth whitening myth verdict: when seeing a whitening professional or when using regulated do-it-yourself products, whitening will not harm the teeth or the enamel covering the teeth.
Myth – Whitening is the only way to improve your smile!
Ummm…no, it isn’t. Whitening is certainly one of the easiest, quickest, and most affordable ways to improve your smile but, it’s definitely not the only way. While the vast majority of people are candidates for teeth whitening, there are those who might not benefit at all or, if so, only marginally benefit. This might be because of permanent teeth discoloration due to an illness or disease, medication, medical procedure, a lifetime of tobacco use, dietary decisions, an accident, or even hereditary considerations.
While whitening is a great way to brighten your personality and boost your self-esteem – there are other cosmetic dentistry solutions for people who aren’t candidates for a whitening process. Porcelain veneers and dental bonding are two wonderful alternatives.
Porcelain veneers: a veneer is an ultra-thin covering (think of a laminate) that is bonded to the front surface of a tooth. Veneers are custom-crafted and shaded to create a natural, uniform tooth color. Aside from color or whitening concerns, veneers are also applied when teeth need size, shape, and length enhancements or adjustments.
Dental bonding: like veneers or whitening, bonding is used to enhance the esthetics of a person’s smile. Bonding is a procedure that bonds or adheres a resin material (shaded to match existing teeth or to enhance their color) to a tooth or teeth to improve the overall appearance of your smile.
Cosmetic dentistry offers a wide range of different solutions to address any concerns you may have about your smile. From minimal enhancements to dramatic advancements, cosmetic dentistry provides the key to unlocking your confidence and the ability to greet the world with a beautiful, bold smile.
It’s a special time for us after we’ve helped someone gain or regain their ability to smile. Oftentimes, people have avoided doing it for years or even an entire lifetime because they were afraid for people to see what they were hiding behind pursed lips. Seeing the sparkle in their eyes and the confidence in their face as they unleash their new smile is incredibly rewarding. And, every single time it happens, we’re honored to have been asked to share their journey.
Myth – Whitening is only for special people!
Yes – it is! In fact, we believe that anyone who wants to improve the quality of their smile and increase their confidence is special. For that matter, we think that anyone who chooses to smile (even when it’s really hard) is pretty special, too. So, since you’re a special person who smiles – why not have a bright one!
For years, whitening was associated primarily with people who were in the public eye – actors, politicians, television personalities, and models. Back in the day, a person possessing a healthy, white smile was viewed as the epitome of someone who was affluent and well-groomed. Now, years later, whitening is a service sought after by many people and is available to anyone who wants to feel better about themselves and to look their best for personal reasons, with family, in social settings, and at work.
No longer the purview of a limited few, the ability to have whiter teeth has benefited a broad segment of society in a myriad of ways. From more confidence, expanded job opportunities, increased happiness, additional relationship potential, and amplified self-worth to the elimination of fear, reductions in social anxiety, a decline in introversion, and the removal of feelings of isolation – the ability to smile broadly and boldly changes a person’s outlook on life and how they view their place in it.
Whiter teeth not only create a better impression, they also inspire confidence and help people to engage more with the world around them. If nothing else – we think that’s special in itself.
Myth – Whitening Isn’t affordable!
Well, that’s simply not true. Whitening is affordable. We offer a number of different options to help people to improve their smiles through whitening and other methods. We encourage you to call or email us to discover how we can work with you to get the smile you really want.
In actuality, the cost you pay that’s associated with not whitening your teeth could result in you paying the highest price of all. For example, as more and more people have their teeth whitened it’s becoming part of an expected standard – a trait associated with men and women who are well-groomed, successful, and more health-conscious than not. When applying for a new position or a promotion it could be considered as an example of your attention-to-detail, self-worth, or professionalism. Or, in a romantic relationship, it could serve to increase your attractiveness the way new clothes, losing weight, or having neatly trimmed facial hair might do.
You have one time and one time only to make a good first impression. After that, whether it’s a fifth or fiftieth impression, you still want the same result…a good one! The boldness of a smile, and the confidence that accompanies it, is a critical component in the strength of the imprint you make on the other person.
Farragut and Knoxville’s Cosmetic Dentist
We want your smile to not only be a reflection of your confidence but a reflection of your complete experience with our West Knoxville dental team. If there’s anything we can do to help you show your best self to the world, please let us know. Whether it’s whitening, a cosmetic smile consultation, restorative work, or other needs, call or email us here.
