Everybody loves a bright smile. Not only does it make you more attractive but smiling helps you to be more happy.
It’s no wonder that the global teeth whitening market was valued at $6,140.75 million in 2020.
Modern teeth whitening products have been around since the 1980s. And they’ve been growing more popular ever since.
People want to have a set of pearly whites so they can look more attractive and healthy. It’s a quick way to boost your overall confidence.
Types of Tooth Stains
Before getting your teeth whitened, you need to know what kinds of tooth stains you are trying to cover up. There are two different types:
On the one hand, extrinsic stains are caused by food and drink, especially tobacco and colored liquids. If you use these too much, they will discolor your teeth. And bad dental hygiene will only exacerbate the problem.
On the other hand, intrinsic stains occur naturally with age even in healthy teeth. As you get older, your white enamel gets thinner and the yellow dentin beneath your enamel gets darker. Naturally, it’s harder to get rid of intrinsic staining.
What Is Tooth Whitening?
Tooth whitening is a cosmetic procedure for brightening your teeth, aka dental bleaching. You can get your teeth professionally whitened or opt for over-the-counter options, which include various strips, gels, chewing gums, rinses, and films.
There are two different kinds of tooth whitening:
- Vital whitening is used to treat teeth with live nerves and contains hydrogen peroxide.
- Non-vital whitening which treats teeth that no longer have live nerves. This could be due to general decay or even a root canal, for example.
Things To Consider Before Getting Your Teeth Whitened
However you choose to get your teeth whitened, you should consult with your dentist first. They can help you determine if you are a good candidate for tooth whitening or not.
For example, pregnant women should wait till after giving birth to get their teeth whitened as some whitening chemicals could negatively affect the baby.
Also, if your teeth get yellow or brown fast, this could be a sign of something more serious and tooth whitening wouldn’t help. So you should definitely consult a dentist.
Pros of Tooth Whitening
Whitening your teeth improves their cosmetic appearance. As it removes stains, it can even the color of your teeth. Just make sure the color matches any dental implants you might have as dental implants typically aren’t affected by whiteners.
On top of that, tooth whiteners are relatively low risk and fast-acting. Between professional treatments and various home whitening kits, there are a lot of teeth whitening options out there for you to try. And depending on which one you choose, it can be fairly inexpensive. You can get teeth whitening strips for as low as $10.
Cons of Tooth Whitening
That said, there are some disadvantages to getting your teeth whitened as well.
For one, not all tooth whiteners will work on the intrinsic tooth discoloration that comes with age. So don’t waste your money on getting any tooth whitener if you are over 50 years old.
In addition, if you have other dental issues, they will need to be fixed before you get your teeth whiteness. Otherwise, the tooth whitener could actually worsen the health of your teeth.
Unfortunately, tooth whitening can also have some side effects. Some may cause you to have mild gum irritations and temporary sensitivity.
Lastly, teeth whiteners typically only last a few years before they need to be reapplied. So if you plan to keep your teeth white for the long term, plan on multiple applications.
Final Verdict
In the end, getting your teeth whitened is up to you. You can have healthy teeth without it. At the same time, tooth whiteners won’t harm your teeth either, so long as you follow the points in this article.
If you decide to take the plunge, make sure it fits within your budget and consult your dentist first. They’ll help you know which whitener is best for you. If you are needing more than tooth whitening and are in need of more dental work to perfect your smile, consider finding out more about ultra thin veneers.
