Exploring 4 Popular Teeth Whitening Myths

Minneapolis dentists are frequently asked if teethMyth 3 - Patients with Dental Work Cannot Have
whitening procedures are safe to use. Years ago,Teeth Whitening Treatments
the treatment products on the market usedUnfortunately, this is partially true; those with
harsh abrasives that acted like sand paper oncaps, crowns, and certain fillings cannot undergo
your teeth. They would get rid of the stain, but itsome brightening procedures because these
would also wear away at the enamel. Otherproducts simply have no effect on those types
patients worry about the effect that theof materials. In these instances, consider bonding
chemicals can have on their body. Someor veneers as alternatives. Those with regular
temporary effects have been associated with thefillings or root canals can have whitening
process; however, there has been no research totreatments on a regular basis without being
suggest that these procedures have any longconcerned about harming their dental work. By
term affects on your body or your teeth.consulting with a cosmetic dentist, Minneapolis
Myth 1-Teeth Whitening Causes Cancerpatients can learn what the best procedures are
Patients often become concerned about thefor their particular case.
chemicals and brightening agents used by aMyth 4 - Whitening Procedures Wear Away at
cosmetic dentist. Minneapolis dentists, like othersthe Enamel
around the country, often use products thatOlder whitening compounds were effective
contain hydrogen peroxide or carbomide peroxide.because they contained abrasive materials that
After a review of various studies involving morewore off the surface layer of enamel in order to
than 4 000 patients, experts found that this ideaget rid of stains. When teeth stain, the
is completely false. They believe that the salivadiscoloration sits into the tiny tubes in the surface
found naturally in the mouth balances off with theof your teeth, called enamel rods. Without
components in the treatments eliminating anytreatment, these stains soak farther into the
harm that might be present.tooth and become permanent. New teeth
Myth 2-Whitening Products Damage Nerve Endingsbrightening technologies soak into the teeth and
Another common myth is that they can causeact directly on the stain to neutralize it rather than
damage to the nerve endings found inside youractually removing it from the surface of your
teeth. This is true in some countries that useteeth.
products with a considerably higher concentrationAlthough patients of many Minneapolis dentists
than recommended. High concentrations ofoften voice these concerns, there is no need
hydrogen peroxide can actually burn the pulp andworry about the safety of these treatments. The
nerve inside of your teeth. When theseonly side effect that is caused by these
procedures are carried out correctly by a licensedprocedures is sensitivity to temperature that goes
professional, all of the necessary precautions areaway after one to two days. Teeth whitening can
taken so that the hydrogen peroxide cannotbe repeated safely up to every six months in
negatively affect the structure of your teeth.order to enjoy a young, healthy smile.