So you are tired of your dingy, stained, discolored teeth and you finally want to do something about it! But, you have heard all kinds of weird stories surrounding teeth whitening, and you want to know if any are true before you undergo the most common procedure in today’s cosmetic dentistry?! Maybe we can help dispel some of those fabled teeth whitening myths right here.
- Teeth whitening solutions have odd ingredients.
It is true that Ancient Romans used goat’s milk and urine to whiten their teeth. While you might try this interesting assortment of ingredients on your own teeth, there are far better, proven methods of teeth whitening available today – and none of them use goat’s milk or urine as their active ingredients!
- Teeth whitening is all basically the same.
Not true. There is a big difference between store-bought over-the-counter teeth whitening products and professional teeth whitening performed by a dentist. The difference in whitening solution strength and the procedures employed to whiten the teeth are vastly different. In fact, even between the many store-bought teeth whitening solutions sold today, each of them are a little different – particularly in the composition and strength of the bleaching compounds used.
- Professional teeth whitening lasts forever.
Wouldn’t it be nice if that were actually true?! Yes, that is about as true as a suntan lasting forever. Like most everything, whitening fades over time. While studies have shown that teeth whitened via professional teeth whitening do in fact stay whiter and brighter longer than teeth whitened by store-bought teeth whitening products, your teeth do not somehow become magically impervious to discoloration and stains. Unless you dramatically change your lifestyle, eating and drinking habits, you will likely once again consume coffee, tea, red wine, or other food and drink with tooth discoloring effects – or you will smoke. This means the likelihood that tooth stains will return is fairly high. But the good news is that teeth whitening can be performed again, when you need it, to give your teeth that extra bump of whiteness and brightness.
- You can get cancer from teeth whitening.
While we are not cancer specialists, this is just one of the most ludicrous misconceptions about professional teeth whitening we have heard. Perhaps people think this because there are chemicals in the whitening solution – and people just naturally think chemicals cause cancer. However, studies have proven no link between professional teeth whitening – or store-bought teeth whitening products – and oral cancer. In fact, studies have proven no known link between the active ingredients in tooth whitening solutions – Hydrogen Peroxide and Carbamide Peroxide – and oral cancer.
- Professional teeth whitening damages your nerves.
Well here we have yet another wild urban legend! Teeth whitening is the single most popular procedure performed in cosmetic dentistry today. Yet, some people think that the chemicals used in teeth whitening solutions can damage the nerves or the pulp within teeth. As with any dental procedure, if the procedure or tools are not used properly, damage can result. However, studies have shown that teeth whitening is safe, even when performed multiple times.
Bottom line: Professional teeth whitening is a safe and effective way to whiten and brighten your teeth. Don’t let the many myths of cosmetic dentistry and teeth whitening affect your decision to enjoy a brighter, whiter smile.
Dr. Joseph Majka is a family and cosmetic dentist located in Valparaiso, Indiana. He is experienced in professional teeth whitening and can help you achieve the smile you are longing for, safely and effectively. Call Dr. Majka for an appointment today at (219) 464-7191.