Five Teeth-whitening Myths Debunked
Most people would like to have their teeth be as white as possible but there are five teeth-whitening myths they need to know. Whether you consume a lot of coffee, tea, red wine, or artificially-colored foods, it’s only natural that your pearly whites are not as white as they were 5 or 10 years ago. Luckily, there are things you can do (in addition to avoiding coffee and tea) to eliminate discoloration and regain your confidence. The best dentists at North Pointe Dental Associates say that teeth whitening is the quickest and most popular way to brighten and whiten your smile.
North Pointe Dental Associates receive many calls from patients asking about teeth whitening. But there are a surprising number of myths and misconceptions surrounding the teeth-whitening procedure, so NPDA dentists have debunked the five biggest teeth-whitening myths.
Myth #1: Over-the-counter teeth-whitening kits are as effective as professional teeth whitening.
The number of over-the-counter teeth-whitening products available to consumers has been on a steady rise for decades. These teeth-whitening kits range from whitening strips to gels and chewable whitening gum. While these teeth-whitening products are heavily advertised as one hundred percent effective, they are not nearly as effective as professional teeth whitening products.
North Tampa dentists agree that the over-the-counter teeth-whitening products remove only a small amount of the surface discoloration on your teeth, but without changing the color of your teeth. Professional teeth whitening, on the other hand, is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that opens the pores of the outer layer while the cleaning agent accesses inner stains. This makes it up to eight times more effective than over-the-counter teeth-whiteners.
Myth #2: Oil pulling will whiten your teeth.
Oil pulling involves swishing oil (usually coconut oil) in your mouth to whiten your teeth. While many people use coconut oil for cooking and moisturizing their skin, coconut oil’s teeth whitening capabilities are nothing but another one of the five teeth-whitening myths.
Myth #3: Acidic fruits can whiten your smile.
Eating lots of fruits and veggies is great for your health, but rubbing acidic fruits such as strawberries, lemons, or oranges directly on your teeth is not only a wrong way to whiten your teeth, but it can actually wear down the enamel and make your teeth more susceptible to staining!
Myth #4: Once whitened, your teeth will stay white forever.
While far more effective than over-the-counter whitening products, even professional teeth whitening is not permanent. While the effects of whitening will last much longer when done by a dentist, occasional upkeep is needed to maintain those pearly whites.
Myth #5: Everyone is eligible for teeth whitening.
While teeth whitening is perfectly safe, some people may not be good candidates for the procedure. For example, if your front teeth are capped or if you have crowns, teeth whitening will not work for you, as it does not affect synthetic materials.
Schedule your appointment today!
If you’re curious about teeth whitening, or you’re not sure if you are a candidate for the procedure, call (813) 961-1727 to schedule your appointment at North Pointe Dental Associates, home to some of the best Tampa dentists. The knowledgeable and friendly staff will be more than happy to answer all of your questions.
