Is Professional Teeth Whitening Healthy

Is Professional Teeth Whitening Healthy from Korsmo Family Dental in Tacoma, WAFor many people hoping to have a brighter smile, professional teeth whitening is a healthy option. In-office visits use bleaching agents to achieve lighter and faster results than over-the-counter treatments. However, this use of more potent agents means patients should consider their current dental history before deciding on professional whitening treatments.

It is important to weigh the options with a dentist. Even if previous dental work or oral complications prevent a patient from professional whitening treatments now, future therapy for progressive discoloration is possible with restorative and preventative care. The primary concern is figuring out which patient can benefit most from whitening treatments and who requires further dental care prior to a bleaching procedure.

Why are whitening procedures recommended for healthy teeth?

While dental whitening is beneficial for many people, dental professionals generally recommend such treatments for patients with permanent, natural teeth and good oral health. A dentist also considers the color of the stains. Professional bleaching treatments can be an excellent option for people with prominent teeth yellowing. However, the American Dental Association advises against whitening treatments for patients with brown or gray discoloration.

Professional teeth whitening treatments use trays customized for patients to help shield the gums from the bleaching chemicals. Healthy gumlines and teeth also have better resilience, so patients generally experience less sensitivity both during and after the procedure. Candidates with good oral hygiene and health are more likely to be recommended for professional bleaching treatments. Other patients may be advised to look into restorative and preventative care before attempting these procedures.

Who may require further dental work for healthy white teeth?

There are several factors to consider before determining the immediate eligibility of a patient for whitening:

  • Gum health
  • Existence of caps, crowns or other restorative dentistry applications
  • Sensitivities and allergies

Patients with gum disease are less likely to fair well with the chemicals used in professional whitening treatments, sometimes experiencing tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. Because of these risks to patients, dentists typically suggest treating the disease first, improving gum health before attempting to reverse discoloration.

For people with existing dental work, like crowns, whitening treatments tend not to be viable options. While bleaching works to whiten yellowish stains on natural teeth, restorative appliances do not brighten in the same way. However, patients with prior dental work can still achieve brighter smiles through other dental procedures, such as bonding or veneers. Both procedures work by applying a substance or material — bonding resin or porcelain — that a dentist then colors to match surrounding teeth or a patient's desired brightness.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Professional Teeth Whitening in Tacoma, WA.

Conclusion

Professional teeth whitening achieves rapid results and is appropriate and healthy for many dental patients. The chemicals can present risks of sensitivity to some patients, primarily those with existing dental health issues, and the treatments may not be effective with replacement teeth. However, whatever the current condition of a patient's mouth, a dental professional can help them develop a bright and healthy smile to be proud of.

Request an appointment or call Korsmo Family Dental at 253-336-0016 for an appointment in our Tacoma office.

Recent Posts

Getting Personalized Treatment At Your Routine Dental Care Visits

Every patient’s smile is different, so it makes sense for dentists to treat patients as individuals with specific needs. Personalized treatment at a routine dental care appointment should be an expected part of visiting a dental professional. Patients can expect dentists to tailor treatment in the areas of general maintenance, cancer screenings, and management of…

Reasons To Replace Missing Teeth With Dentures

Many people get dentures because they believe that missing a tooth is not appealing from a cosmetic standpoint. Missing teeth can also be detrimental to your oral health. This is why dentures are necessary to replace teeth, among other options. The dentist will go through the various alternatives with you. Regardless, you should always try…

Why Prioritizing Routine Dental Care Is Important

Prioritizing routine dental care is an essential part of maintaining a healthy mouth that looks and functions as it should. By teaming up with a dentist and scheduling regular appointments, patients can minimize dental decay and avoid many problems that would require major restorative dental work down the road.Routine dental care includes regular visits with…

Recent Posts

Getting Personalized Treatment At Your Routine Dental Care Visits

Getting Personalized Treatment At Your Routine Dental Care Visits

Every patient’s smile is different, so it makes sense for dentists to treat patients as individuals with specific needs. Personalized treatment at a routine dental care appointment should be an expected part of visiting a dental professional. Patients can expect dentists to tailor treatment in the areas of general maintenance, cancer screenings, and management of…

Reasons To Replace Missing Teeth With Dentures

Reasons To Replace Missing Teeth With Dentures

Many people get dentures because they believe that missing a tooth is not appealing from a cosmetic standpoint. Missing teeth can also be detrimental to your oral health. This is why dentures are necessary to replace teeth, among other options. The dentist will go through the various alternatives with you. Regardless, you should always try…