Movie stars and news anchors have them. And you want them too—whiter teeth! You can improve both your appearance and your self-esteem by professionally whitening your teeth. If you’re scared to have the treatment done, don’t be. Let’s explore some of the myths surrounding teeth whitening.
Myth #1: You won’t look natural.
Don’t worry, we aren’t going to take your teeth from dull to flashbulb bright! That only happens in comedies. But you will notice a pronounced difference in how clean and bright your teeth look. Even with at-home whitening trays, you can control the amount of whitening just by limited the length of days you use the trays, and there is a limit to how white your teeth can go.
Myth #2: It will hurt.
Most people don’t experience any discomfort when whitening their teeth, but there may be a slight sensitivity to the whitening formula. If so, use a toothpaste or mouth rinse made for sensitive teeth. The sensitivity will dissipate over a couple of days.
Myth #3: You’ll damage your teeth’s enamel.
When performed by a dentist, teeth whitening is safe. We apply a special gel into trays that are fitted onto your teeth. This gently bleaches the surface of your teeth using a level of the active agents hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to remove stains and offer an overall brightening.
Myth #4: You can get the same effect at home.
Many people use home tooth whitening kits or toothpastes. However, the formulas used in the dental office are stronger and we can determine the right amount to use for your unique smile. Be aware that some whitening toothpastes contain abrasive that scrub away at stains and chemicals that break them down. Look for those carrying the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance.
Related: Does whitening toothpaste actually whiten teeth?
Myth #5: You only have to whiten once.
Although whitening can make a dramatic difference even with the first treatment, your daily life of eating and drinking—especially with items like red wine, coffee or tea, and smoking—will cause staining on your teeth. You should try to either avoid these items or drink through a straw, and get additional whitening treatments as needed.
Myth #6: You can use lemons to whiten teeth.
While lemons do offer a bleaching effect, they also introduce acids that can cause permanent damage to your tooth enamel. Baking soda also is not effective, and can upset the balance of healthy bacteria found within your mouth. We recommend letting your dentist provide your tooth whitening treatments.
Get Professional Tooth Whitening at Your Reston Family Dentist: Advanced Family Dentistry
At Advanced Family Dentistry, we offer a range of cosmetic dentistry options including tooth whitening, porcelain veneers and Invisalign aligners. Let’s see how we can make you feel better about your smile!
Advanced Family Dentistry offers advanced and comprehensive dental services for your entire family. Contact us to set your next dental appointment.
Dr. Sonny Kim is a Diplomat of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI), the highest education level for general dentists in this field.
Advanced Family Dentistry
Dr. Sonny Kim, DMD
11876 Sunrise Valley Dr, Suite 101
Reston, VA 20191
Phone: 703.390.9191
