Precautions To Take When Bleaching Your Teeth
Brightening your teeth by bleaching them is generally safe. However, there are a few precautions you need to take to ensure your treatment is a hundred percent safe. Here are some of the safety precautions to take.
Use Recommended Products
There are numerous teeth whitening products out in the market, but it's safer to go with the recommended products. As a precaution, your chosen bleaching product shouldn't have more than 10% carbamide peroxide if you have opted for a home treatment. Other concentrations may be safer and more effective, but only if handled by professionals.
Don't Use While Pregnant
Some people believe that it's dangerous to bleach the teeth while pregnant because the bleaching ingredients may pass through the placenta and harm the baby. However, there is no data confirming or refuting this allegation, which means it may or may not be true. As such, it's best to err on the side of caution and avoid bleaching your teeth if you are expectant.
Bleach Before Dental Work
Dental bleaching products are formulated to work on your natural teeth, and they won't work on dental work such as fillings and crowns. This means if you bleach your teeth while having such dental work, you may end up with uneven discoloration because the teeth may be whiter than the fillings. Therefore, it's best to whiten your teeth before getting such dental works so that the treatments can be formulated to match the color of your already bleached teeth.
Don't Exceed the Time Limits
Bleaching products come with instructions for use, specifically detailing how long you should leave the bleach on your teeth. It may be tempting to exceed this time so as to get the whitest teeth possible. Some people are also tempted to exceed the time if they are convinced their teeth are too discolored to deserve the standard bleaching time. Unfortunately, this is dangerous because it increases the risk of teeth sensitivity and oral tissue irritation after the treatment.
Avoid Discoloring Food and Drinks after Treatment
Your teeth are particularly porous and susceptible to staining in the hours following the bleaching treatment. Therefore, avoid foods and drinks that may stain the teeth for a couple of hours or so. This includes things like soda, tea, berries, and wine, among other things.
One of the best things you can do for your dental health and safety is to consult a dentist before bleaching your teeth, especially if it's the first time you are doing it. The dentist will evaluate your teeth and mouth and advise you on whether to proceed and which precautions to take. For more information, contact a dentist like Clendenon Kirby DDS.