Nothing says confidence like pearly white teeth, but those can be hard to get on your own. Many people, despite having incredible dental hygiene, simply have teeth with a yellow hint.
Teeth whitening products can give you brighter teeth and help with your confidence. But like all artificial enhancers, you need to be careful. You want to take care of your teeth, so it’s a good idea to keep these factors in mind.
You’re Using Them Every Day
You shouldn’t use teeth whitening products every day. Unlike toothpaste, mouthwash, and dental floss, teeth whitening is not a necessary part of cleaning your teeth.
In fact, according to Delta Dental Insurance, over-whitening them can lead to some disastrous problems. Depending on the product you’re using, it will tell you in the instructions how often you should be using them.
There are some that tell you to use the product for 7–10 days in a month, and others that say once a week. It’s important to follow the directions so that you can keep your teeth safe and not chalky.
It’s also important not to leave the product on your teeth for too long. Overusing whitening products can also lead to increased tooth sensitivity. In some cases, it can even erode your enamel. This leaves you at risk for tooth decay.
You Have Tooth Pain
According to Kuhni Orthodontic Studio, tooth sensitivity isn’t necessarily due to a cavity. You need to listen to your teeth. If you have tooth pain, it could be because of the teeth whitening product you’ve been using.
Some people develop sensitivity in the gums or teeth. If your teeth start to hurt, consider taking a break from your whitening product for a while. Talk to your dentist, in case that’s not the cause of the pain.
Be up front about what you have been using. Make sure you also thoroughly cover your medical history. Some medications or medical conditions can lead to extra sensitivity to whitening treatments.
Additionally, make sure you are careful about how you apply the whitening solution. At-home whitening products often use peroxide, which can cause irritation and inflammation of your gums, mouth, and throat, if it comes into contact with them.
Your Dentist Tells You to Stop
If you are looking at different whitening treatments, it is actually best to talk to your dentist before starting them. But, if you have already started, you still need to pay attention to what they say.
Obviously, if your dentist is telling you to stop using whitening products, you should do what they say. Your dentist has your best interests in mind when it comes to the health of your teeth.
Some treatments just don’t work well for people, and some treatments you find on the internet can actually be dangerous. If your dentist tells you to stop, it is for good reason.
According to OraWellness, your dentist can tell if your teeth are being stripped of their enamel because you’ve been using whitening products too often and will tell you.
You can ask them what they’d recommend and when you can eventually start using the product again. They will have some good advice for whitening your teeth and will tell you what your best course of action will be.
When You Are Satisfied
When you are satisfied with the results of your teeth whitening, you can stop regularly using the whitening product.s This seems like it should be obvious, but some people will continue even after they get to the level of white they want.
Continuing to whiten your teeth past that point can lead to some of the over whitening problems that were mentioned earlier, or you may just end up not looking like you want to.
Once you have stopped whitening your teeth, you will have to take some extra care to keep them white. Some kinds of foods will naturally stain your teeth or can leave them looking more dull. Doing a regular touch up every couple months will do the trick to keep your teeth pearly white.
If you do regular upkeep, you won’t have to worry about going through the full whitening course again.
Teeth whitening products can be a great way to give you the smile you’ve always wanted, but there are some things you need to keep in mind.
It is possible to be using them too often, so you need to know when to stop using them in order to protect your teeth. Make sure you consult with your dentist before starting any treatment, even at home ones and do your research before you commit to one method.
Not all of the methods you read about really work, and the one that works well for your best friend may not be the best fit for you.
Read this next: How Your Teeth Affect Your Health
