Many of us would like it a little whiter and brighter when it comes to our smiles. Because of that, we are seeing a surge in people running out to purchase those DIY teeth whitening kits. However, there are some issues with those, especially with people that don’t want to follow the instructions. While many people think this is the answer to their problem, having a professional dentist do the whitening is probably best. Many things could go wrong during a DIY treatment. Let’s explore some of those things and why we have stained teeth in the first place.
Certain meals and beverages can cause stains. Here are a some of the most well-known teeth strainers:
- The soy sauce
- Colourful, sticky candies
- Sports beverages
- Popsicles
- Sauce with tomatoes
- Curry seasoning
- Tea, which includes iced tea
- Coffee, which includes iced coffee
- Wine
- Soda
Make every effort to restrict your consumption of the foods and beverages listed above. However, it is not expected that you avoid these foods entirely. When you have had a snack or treat from the list, wait 30 minutes and brush. You might also use a straw to consume beverages or rinse your mouth with water after consuming tooth-staining meals.
Kits for Teeth Whitening
Whitening kits are available without a prescription and can be purchased over-the-counter. These kits enable people to whiten their teeth at home without the assistance of a dental professional.
According to current studies, the public’s abuse of whitening treatments can lead to several issues, including:
- Surface shading on a tooth restoration that is unusual or unpleasant
- Tooth restorations are damaged.
- The potential for demineralization has increased.
- Surface roughening of the tooth
- Itching of the gums
- Surface softening of the tooth
- Heightened tooth sensitivity
Another mistake people make with at-home kits is bleaching their teeth too frequently. Some doctors recommend that this treatment be performed only 1-2 times each year. Doing it more regularly may result in the above-mentioned issues.
In addition to tooth sensitivity, the whitening chemical can be extremely painful when it enters a fractured tooth via a cavity. When a strong whitening solution seeps into a tooth, it can cause internal damage and impact the tooth’s root. This can result in root canals, which necessitate skilled dental care.
Uneven Discoloration
Uneven discoloration resulting from incorrectly whitening teeth at home is another known problem. Some people say their teeth have a bluish color. They can even notice that your teeth are unevenly white. For example, a whitening treatment may whiten natural teeth while leaving fake teeth the same color as before. This can make the fake teeth stand out and look out of place.
Most at-home whitening kits contain peroxide, ranging from 3% to 20% peroxide. In general, the longer you leave a strong solution on the surface of your teeth, the whiter it becomes. As a result, some people keep the whitener on for longer than is required. This, in return, is causing damage such as what is listed above. This is certainly a case where more doesn’t make things better. Following the instructions would help prevent these sorts of things from happening.
In fact, the solutions containing the largest percentage of peroxide should be applied to your teeth for the least amount of time. When you leave the gel on for an extended period of time, it dehydrates your teeth, causing discomfort and other issues.
If you are considering whitening your teeth, check with your dentist. You will be doing yourself and your teeth a favor.