Contraindications for teeth whitening: health or Hollywood smile

Advertising and movies show us people with perfectly straight and white teeth. A brilliant smile has long been an attribute of success. For some, it has replaced dental health as a priority. Although whiteness is not a sign of health. A yellowish and grayish shades — not necessarily talking about illness.

Dentists say that the shade of teeth depends on genetic features and the place of birth of a person. For example, Russians have naturally slightly yellowish teeth. And am  — — with grey tint. And            it does not indicate some kind of deviation.

And here there are important contraindications on the way to white teeth. If you don't know about them, then lose the smile you have now. The editors of estet-portal have collected for you the most important indications for teeth whitening.

• What happens during teeth whitening
• Types of teeth whitening and methods of the procedure
• Contraindications to teeth whitening: for whom the procedure is strictly prohibited
• The Negative Consequences of Teeth Whitening: Weigh Them
• Teeth Whitening — is it good or bad?

What happens during teeth whitening

There is a persistent misconception that bleaching removes the upper, "dirty" a layer of enamel, as if cleaning, bringing out a cleaner and lighter one. Hence the same idea appears that whitening — part of the measure for dental health. In fact, the only procedure, other than the direct treatment of diseased teeth, that needs to be done regularly — professional hygienic cleaning. It helps to get rid of soft and hard deposits on teeth, which reduces the risk of cavities and often removes bad breath.

Whitening is a purely aesthetic procedure that does not improve the condition of the teeth, but it can worsen it.

To give a simple and understandable example, then the during the during of teeth whitening the 

Most often, even substances similar in composition — — carbamide-peroxide or simply peroxide systems.

Read also: 8 misconceptions about dental health: treat whether cavities and how dangerous sugar

Types of teeth whitening and methods of the procedure

Let's take a quick look at the basic teeth whitening techniques. There are two main types of procedure — office whitening and home. Office refers to the actions that the dentist performs in his office. More often than not, that's what it's called — office bleaching. The home whitening stage consists of applying a special gel with the help of a mouthguard made to fit your teeth. The gel is applied overnight, the procedure usually includes 5-10 nights.

 Ideally, these two steps — first go through the necessary manipulations in the dentist's chair, and then fix the result at home. Not everyone undergoes such a full whitening cycle now, but it allows you to fix the result for a long time. To maintain the desired tone afterwards, you only need to periodically apply the gel.

Whitening techniques

Here are some of the main methods that are now offered in  dental clinics:

1. Chemical whitening. A special gel is applied to teeth, which allows you to lighten 4-8 tones in one session. The gums are pre-protected, as the chemical can cause a burn. This whitening option is not suitable for those who have cracks or chips in teeth.

2. Laser whitening. Here, too, it cannot do without a chemical composition, it is only activated with using a laser. An unpleasant tingling sensation may occur during the procedure.

3. Photobleaching. The currently popular ZOOM whitening is carried out using this technology. Again, a special gel containing hydrogen peroxide is applied to the teeth, then the enamel is illuminated with a lamp. After the procedure, a remineralizing compound is applied to teeth, which should protect them from increased sensitivity.

Contraindications to  teeth whitening: for whom the procedure is strictly prohibited

Now that we have an idea of how the teeth whitening procedure works, we can also turn to contraindications:

1. Caries. The most important contraindication for any type of whitening. If you have untreated caries, it is too early to think about white teeth. First you need to undergo treatment and put seals.

2. Gum disease. Despite the during the whitening procedure, the gums are protected mechanically or with the help of special solutions, it is still impossible to risk their diseases.

3. Thin tooth enamel. If, as a result of examination and diagnosis, the dentist realizes that you have very thin tooth enamel by nature, then whitening will not be possible. If you still have a desire, it is recommended that you first go through a course of measures to help strengthen the enamel and make it more durable.

4. High sensitivity of the teeth.Bleaching in any case will increase the sensitivity, so if the person who wants to undergo the procedure already suffers from this problem, then lightening the dentition will have to be abandoned.

5. Pregnancy and lactation.Women in position should better postpone the procedure until later, as it may cause unexpected consequences. In addition, the teeth of pregnant women already suffer due to a lack of necessary substances, which the body now has to divide into two.

6. Age up to 18 years. The dentist has the right to refuse a procedure to a child or teenager.

7. Allergy to substances included in whitening gels.If you are allergic to hydrogen peroxide, then the way to the procedure is closed for you. As we mentioned before, almost all whitening systems include this component.

8. Recent removal of braces. If you have worn braces, then you can come for whitening only six months after they removal. The point is that you need to wait for the complete disappearance of the cement trace. 

Even if you didn't have one of the listed contraindications, you came to the procedure and during felt a sharp pain in one of teeth —     whitening must be stopped immediately. Perhaps, a hidden carious cavity, which hid under an old filling or was simply inaccessible to the dentist's eye, makes itself known.

Negative effects of teeth whitening: weigh them

The bleaching procedure does not bring the most pleasant consequences. Here are a few of them:

1.

Teeth may lose their shine. Yes, dreaming of a perfect, sparkling Hollywood smile can cause your teeth to lose their luster and become chalky. There is even a special term — "chalky teeth", "chalky spots on teeth"

2.

Enamel demineralization will occur. At the same time,  the useful minerals that protect the teeth may be removed during the bleaching process.

3.

Tooth sensitivity will increase. The most common negative consequences of the procedure — teeth react more sharply to cold, hot and sour. The first few days after bleaching will have to endure, if the high sensitivity persists for a long time, then you will have to take separate measures.

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read also: Chalky stains on teeth: what mean how to get rid

Teeth whitening — is it good or bad?

Certainly, you decide for yourself whether a bright smile is worth such sacrifices. However, if there are contraindications related to the health of teeth and gums, a good dentist will never agree to perform the procedure under any circumstances. Even if you really ask him. Remember that your main task (and doctors too) — maintain healthy teeth and gums. A aesthetic appearance and largely imposed by television and advertising standards of a snow-white smile — let them wait their turn.

Read also: Save your wallet and teeth: how dentists deceive patients

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