What’s The Deal With All These Whitening Products?

We all desire white, bright teeth. In stores, the media and online, consumers are bombarded with a seeming multitude of tooth whitening products. The question is which product(s) are best? Are all agents safe or do certain products cause damage and pain? First things first, in my professional opinion don’t consider whitening you teeth if your oral health is not optimal. Tooth decay and/or gum (periodontal) disease must be treated first and your oral hygiene optimized. Yes, that means brushing and flossing 2x/day. It’s also beneficial to stop any harmful habits such as smoking, chewing tobacco or the consumption of acidic and sugary beverages.

Each of us is unique and so too is the colour of our teeth. Certain people are born with pearly whites, while others are not. The intrinsic colour of our teeth cannot be changed by whitening. What can be changed however is the accumulation of stains that contribute overtime to a general darkening of our teeth. In such instances, whitening represents the fastest, least invasive and most cost effective means of brightening our smile. Whitening, depending on the method, can cause transient sensitivity. Studies have shown that the use of at-home whitening products too frequently or aggressively can cause our teeth to weaken. There are many important reasons why a dental professional consultation is essential to define the best and safest approach for each patient. In addition, certain patient’s have teeth with intrinsic stains or white tooth fillings that do not respond to bleaching. Following bleaching, the match between white fillings and the surrounding teeth changes. A sign of gum (periodontal) disease is often exposed roots. Tooth roots subjected to the chemicals contained in bleaching agents, may be irritated and develop thermal sensitivity. Below is a table outlining the pros and cons of each product. l would be glad to assist you in determining the optimum whitening treatment given the specifics of your smile.