Info You Need Before You Whiten at Home

While you may not be seeing as many people each day as you were in January, you still have the opportunity to impress those you do see. One of the best accessories that you can show off is a radiant, white smile. For decades, people have been obsessed with trying to achieve a whiter smile. Perhaps your Zoom conferences or Facetime meetings have made you self-conscious about the appearance of your teeth over the last few weeks, but having a professional teeth whitening procedure is not an option right now. Before you join the millions who are throwing money towards at-home teeth whitening products that claim to “brighten your smile by 10 shades,” there is information you need to know.

Here is what you need to know in order to avoid common teeth whitening mistakes:

• Ask your dentist first. Even though your dentist may not be able to provide “non-essential” dental services, you can still call your dentist’s office for advice. Your dentist knows the ins and outs of your smile and oral health. Your dentist knows whether or not your teeth and gums are healthy enough to whiten at home safely.
• Follow the directions carefully. The most common mistake that people make when whitening their teeth at home is not following instructions. Misuse of OTC teeth whitening products can lead to chemical burns on the gum tissue, spots on the teeth, uneven whitening, or worse.
• Do not use if you have any dental problems. If you suspect that you have a cavity or an infected tooth, or if you have gum recession, you should not use at-home teeth whitening products. Using teeth whitening strips or gels on compromised teeth can cause severe damage to your mouth that cannot be reversed.
• There is no one-size-fits-all approach. If you see a product that offers a tray to use for “any size mouth,” do not purchase. There is no such thing as something that will fit any size mouth. You will not be able to achieve the desired results with such products.

Contact Juban Cowen Dental today to learn more about safely whitening your teeth at home. We are here for you, and we are in this together.

Posted on Behalf of Juban Cowen Dental Care