Keeping Up With One's Appearance Can Be Rewarding But Also Damaging
The quest for stark white teeth has patients doing more harm than good to their oral health. Sensitive teeth, enamel damage and gum recession most common.
DETROIT (April 28, 2014) - Teeth whitening treatments are the number one requested cosmetic dental treatment in the United States. People are dazzled by smiles they see on the big screens and are going too far to get their teeth the whitest shade of white possible.
The problem that this fascination with porcelain smiles creates is that the damage done by over-whitening teeth can actually make them look darker. Teeth can get transparent after whitening treatments, and what shows through the teeth is the darkness in your mouth. So what do people do to fix it? Whiten some more! Unfortunately, no amount of whitening will help this problem, and just causes more damage.
Cosmetic dentist Dr. Monica Assad of Sparkle Dental in Warren, MI, understands why people want to whiten their teeth. Years of accumulated stains from coffee, smoking and colored foods do gradually change the color of your teeth. Bringing your smile back to life by bleaching can make a big difference – as long as you don’t overdo it.
A good rule of thumb is to have a professional whiten your teeth for you first. Dentists like Dr. Assad are experts in cosmetic dentistry and can help you choose a shade that looks natural, and advise you on how you can keep the smile looking white in the future. Annual touch-ups at home can keep your teeth looking white, provided you use them responsibly.
So how do you know if you’ve gone too far? Sensitivity to hot and cold is a very common side effect of any bleaching process. But if the sensitivity doesn’t go away after 24 hours, there is likely a much more serious issue. Also, gums tend to take a beating from the bleach. Excessive gum bleeding is a sign that they have been damaged. In time, with more whitening chemicals, the gums will start to recede, exposing the root of the tooth and leaving room for disease-causing bacteria to grow.
Many cosmetic dentists place some of the blame on the availability of over-the-counter bleaching systems and whitening strips. While it’s not very likely to cause serious damage if they are used correctly, people think that using them more often will result in whiter teeth. Without the supervision of a trained dentist, the excessive use of the products are creating major dental problems down the road.
Nobody should be afraid of whitening their teeth – changing your smile can change your life. But it needs to be done professionally by a trained cosmetic dentist who can ensure that your gums and teeth don’t suffer unnecessary damage in order for you to get a bright white smile.
About Sparkle Dental
Dr. Assad is a highly trained dentist in Warren, MI, providing a full range of dental services including general and preventative care, oral surgery, cosmetics, invisible braces, endodontic, periodontics and pedodontics. They cater to both adults and children, guaranteeing pain-free visits for the whole family.