Most people know the saying “You’re never fully dressed without a smile.” But, what are you supposed to do if you’re teeth are a source of embarrassment?Perhaps all those years of smoking, drinking coffee and red wine are finally catching up with you. You’ve probably used whitening toothpaste in the past, but even after the recommended four months of brushing, unsightly stains are still there.
In order to get rid of them, you might make the decision to bleach your teeth using an at-home kit because you figure you have nothing to lose and it’s cheaper than going to a dentist. However, sometimes one round of treatment isn’t good enough and so your inclination may be to load on the strips again. But did you know that doing this could cause more harm than good?
According to Academy of General Dentistry spokesperson Dr. Steven Ghareeb, over whitening not only makes your chompers look unnaturally brilliant, it also increase the chances that you’ll experience tooth and gum sensitivity.
That is why, before running to the drugstore, you should always talk to someone who is experienced in family and cosmetic dentistry as “He or she can advise you on proper use of these products as well as which type of bleaching system will provide you with the best results,” suggests Dr. Ghareeb.
In some cases, store-bought bleaching kits may not be the best option for you. If your family dentist tells you that is the case, then you should consider booking an appointment with him or her. Many office treatments are designed for people with sensitive teeth and even last longer than the ones from the drugstore.
