How Safe Is Teeth Whitening?
By Joseph Shoop | Published on January 25, 2012 | 0 Comments
In-office teeth whitening is a completely safe and effective treatment option for men and women who want to brighten their smiles with virtually zero pain or discomfort. According to Dr. Joseph Shoop of Shoop Family Dentistry in Tulsa, a cosmetic dentist can get a patient’s teeth up to eight shades lighter during a single in-office session.
As far as research is concerned, Dr. Shoop says he is not aware of any studies that have shown that whitening teeth is harmful to the enamel, at least when following the manufacturer’s instructions. Professional teeth whitening does not cause teeth to become any more susceptible to decay or to breakage, which is a common myth that many people have heard.
One point that Dr. Shoop is careful to emphasize, however, is how important it is that people follow the manufacturer’s instructions when whitening their teeth. This is especially important when using an “at home” whitening product sold at drugstores and pharmacies, since adults tend to be less careful about following directions when they do not have a cosmetic dentist in Tulsa looking over their shoulders.
Although tooth whitening does not cause actual damage to the teeth, it can cause certain types of tooth sensitivities in some patients. As a cosmetic dentist in Tulsa, Dr. Shoop has worked with many patients who said they felt a slight sensitivity to hot or cold foods after undergoing a professional whitening treatment. This temporary sensitivity is completely natural, and it is an expected part of the whitening process. For most people, the sensitivity that exists after undergoing a whitening treatment only lasts as long as the actual whitening treatment. Dr. Shoop says most of his patients are OK with putting up with a little bit of sensitivity when the trade off is a brighter, whiter smile.
Most cosmetic dentists recommend that patients who want the best results in the least amount of time investigate in-office whitening treatments, versus the at-home varieties that people can buy at their local stores. Dr. Shoop explains that the difference between these two methods of teeth whitening has to do with the concentration of the ingredient. Products that can be purchased over the counter typically take longer to work because they contain a lower concentration of the active ingredient.
In order to get quicker results, Dr. Shoop says people need to have their whitening treatments done by a cosmetic dentist. In Tulsa, Shoop Family Dentistry has become an especially popular practice for people interested in improving the looks of their smiles.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.