Tooth Whitening Can Be Too Much Of A Good Thing
Monday, June 9th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
If only coffee didn’t taste so good… If only soft drinks weren’t so prevalent… If only wine didn’t go so well with dinner… Maybe then no one would need teeth whitening.
Most people enjoy coffee, soda, wine, and other delights that darken teeth. The process of aging makes teeth less white. Nonetheless, we all want bright sparkling smiles.
Fortunately, cosmetic dentistry can make it happen. Tooth whitening can be done instantly at the dentist’s office, or over he course of several weeks at home. Over the counter bleaching products (such as strips, gels and toothpaste) are sold at pharmacies and grocery stores everywhere.
All one has to do is turn on the TV to understand why. Modern celebrities sport uniformly bright smiles. Many of these celebrity smiles were created with dental veneers, which look great but cost a lot. Bleaching is a les expensive option that puts a Hollywood smile within the reach of the average person.
Tooth whitening is a powerful tool in the cosmetic dentist’s arsenal. In fact, most extreme dental makeovers start with bleaching. It’s important to whiten teeth before doing additional cosmetic dentistry; that way, the color of teeth teeth will match any porcelain dental veneers or dental crowns.
However, consumers should be aware of the risks of tooth whitening. Some patients report increased sensitivity to hot and cold. Using strong bleaching agents without the supervision of a licensed dentist can permanently damage teeth, even leaving them darker in color.
One out of six dentists worries that today’s consumers are over-bleaching their smiles, according to a dental management survey by dental practice marketing resource The Wealthy Dentist. Most dentists are delighted that today’s consumers can lighten their teeth, but some are concerned about too-white teeth that look unnatural (charmingly known as “toilet bowl teeth”).
One dentist summed up the situation. “Some people will overdo whitening no matter what, so I think the dentist has a role as professional counselor. But based on what I have seen in the literature to date, I believe whitening is both safe and efficacious.”
Commented another dentist, “Many patients have unrealistic expectations from bleaching.” When a patient wants incredibly white teeth, it’s the dentist who has to point out the aesthetic reality. Of course, motivated patients can find some other way to over-brighten their teeth, whether it’s via unscrupulous professionals, unlicensed practitioners, or over-the-counter methods.
“I do feel that some are using it excessively,” said one dentist, “but overall, I like teeth whiter.” And the numbers would tend to show that the public agrees, with more and more money being spent on teeth whitening each year.
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