Existing Patients: (978) 454-9332 | New Patients: (877) 790-5172 |
Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

4 Ways to Rescue Your Teeth from Over-Bleaching

Posted on by .

When you look in the mirror and see how dramatically teeth whitening treatments have brightened your smile, the results can be exhilarating. For some people, the thrill of seeing their teeth get amazingly white becomes habit forming.

Photo of teeth whitening trays in a case, for information on DIY teeth whitening from Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Teeth whitening should be carefully monitored

If you received teeth whitening from your dentist, you were probably advised to use it for about two weeks and to wait before starting another session to allow the color to stabilize. But what if you continue bleaching your teeth for weeks, even months? Or what if you are whitening your teeth over and over again without a dentist’s supervision? Although you may not notice how much whiter your teeth are getting, they can become sensitive and brittle.

What Can You Do to Protect Your Teeth?

  1. Take a break. Stop whitening your teeth and give them time to recover. After you stop whitening treatment, the shade of your teeth will continue to brighten over the next few days. Give your teeth and gums time to recover. Irritated nerves can become less sensitive if they are not in contact with the bleaching gel. And irritated gum tissue can heal.
  2. Switch your toothpaste. Daily use toothpaste for sensitive teeth. It penetrates the tiny holes in your teeth and blocks the nerves to decrease sensitivity.
  3. Tell your dentist. You might be embarrassed to tell your dentist about your teeth whitening habit. But your dentist can examine your teeth and let you know if there is any external or internal damage to your teeth. He or she can provide treatment to protect your teeth from further damage. Prescription fluoride treatment or toothpaste might be recommended to strengthen your teeth.
  4. You should avoid whitening your teeth without your dentist’s approval. It’s possible to resume teeth whitening too soon. Just because your teeth feel better doesn’t mean it’s safe to use bleaching gel on them. Your dentist will let you know when, how, and how frequently you should use the gel.

 

Accredited cosmetic dentist Michael Szarek, DMD of Lowell, MA sponsors this blog.

3 Reasons to Stop Whitening Your Teeth

Posted on by .

Teeth whitening provides a fast smile makeover. If your teeth are healthy and basically aligned, this treatment might be all you need to revive your smile. But too much of a good thing—including teeth whitening—can do more harm than good. What do we mean?

Teeth Whitening – When Enough Is Enough

1. You’re Trying to Whiten Bonding, Crowns, or Veneers

Bleaching gel penetrates natural teeth, but it won’t remove stains from porcelain restorations or cosmetic bonding. Your natural teeth will get white, but the stains on your bonded or restored teeth won’t budge. There will be a noticeable difference between your natural teeth and those with bonding, veneers, or crowns. Stop whitening and see a cosmetic dentist.

If your bonding, crowns, or veneers are stained, a skilled cosmetic dentist will recommend the appropriate treatment to improve the appearance of the restorations. It might be time to replace them.

2. You Have Cavities or Gum Disease

Photo of teeth whitening trays in a case, for information on DIY teeth whitening from Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Teeth whitening trays keep gel on your teeth

Bleaching gel will become an irritant if you have cavities or gum disease. As the gel seeps into the affected areas, you can develop an infection in your gums or teeth. Infected gums will need to be treated, and an infected tooth might need root canal treatment.

3. You’re Obsessed with It

Do you think your teeth are never white enough and you keep bleaching them over and over again? Stop. If you’re addicted to whitening your teeth, it can make them brittle and sensitive. They can become transparent or look gray in color. The pearly whites you always wanted can become totally unattractive. And with excess bleaching, the chemicals can burn your gums. Both your teeth and gums will become unsightly.

If you continue to damage your teeth with bleaching gel, it might require cosmetic dentistry and gum treatment to restore your oral health.

What’s Next?

Dentist-supervised whitening yields the best results. If you decide to completely do it yourself, avoid cheap whitening gel. Ensure the contents of the gel are FDA approved. And whiten your teeth as instructed. If your teeth are already damaged by over-bleaching, schedule an appointment for an exam with a cosmetic dentist. Prompt treatment can prevent any issues from getting worse, and it can save you money in the long term.

This post is sponsored by Lowell, MA accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Three Results of Overdoing Teeth Whitening Treatment

Posted on by .

Photo of teeth whitening trays in a case, for information on DIY teeth whitening from Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Safe and effective teeth whitening is dentist supervised

Most people would welcome the chance to have a whiter, brighter smile. But in the quest to get their teeth super white, some people use bleaching gel over and over again. Is it possible to over bleach your teeth?

Teeth whitening can be fun and rewarding. But overdoing it can lead to sensitivity, pain, and some surprising but disappointing results. What are the effects of overdoing it?

Results of Whitening Your Teeth Too Frequently

  • Tooth roots – Excessive teeth whitening can damage teeth and their roots. When teeth are whitened too frequently, damage to the tissue around them can create the need for root canal treatment. Also, too much whitening gel can cause chemical burns on your gums.
  • Tooth enamel – Excessive bleaching can wear away tooth enamel and give your teeth a gray or blue hue. You can lose your super white teeth and cause them to turn dark and unattractive. In severe cases, cosmetic dentistry will be needed to conceal the dark color.
  • Sensitivity in teeth – Some people who over-bleach their teeth have difficulty tolerating cold or hot food or drinks. Tooth nerves can become irritated and send radiating pain throughout your teeth.

It is always best to check with your dentist before whitening your teeth. If you have cavities developing, the gel can irritate them. And in some cases, teeth whitening will make stains on your teeth even more noticeable.

A cosmetic dentist can examine your teeth and anticipate the effects of the bleaching gel on your teeth and gums and let you know if it’s the right treatment for you.

Everyone who whitens their teeth without the assistance of a dentist should take the necessary precautions to ensure the whitening gel used is FDA approved and not a cheap knock-off that will damage teeth.

 

This post is sponsored by Lowell, MA cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Can I get my teeth white while I am wearing braces?

Posted on by .

I really should have gotten my teeth whitened before I got braces. I don’t know why I didn’t. I just kept putting it off. Thanks, M.A.

M.A. – Yes, it is possible to whiten teeth while you are wearing braces, but it may be best for you to wait until your braces are removed. There are several factors to consider.

Teeth Whitening While You Wear Braces

  • Certain brands of teeth whitening have whitening trays that are made to fit over braces. The whitening gel will get beneath the braces to whiten your teeth, but it may not get beneath the brackets that are bonded to your teeth. When your braces are removed, your teeth will look patchy.
  • Many dentists don’t recommend whitening your teeth while you wear braces. Many whitening products, including whitening toothpaste, scratch ceramic braces.
  • It is easier to whiten teeth during orthodontic treatment if you wear Invisalign. The invisible braces are easily removed, so whitening your teeth will work well and evenly. For patients who wear Invisalign, your dentist will tell you the best time to begin whitening your teeth.

Speak with the dentist or orthodontist from whom you received the braces to determine if you are a candidate for teeth whitening. Do not try to whiten your teeth yourself without speaking with your dentist about it first.

Your dentist will also give you tips on how to avoid staining your teeth while wearing braces.

This post is sponsored by Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

What’s the safest, cheapest DIY teeth whitening?

Posted on by .

I really want my teeth whitened, but I don’t have a lot of extra money. In September, I graduated university, and I’ve had to pay for my own education. Any extra cash is going toward payment of student loans. When I have any extra money, I can’t justify using it to whiten my teeth, but I do want a bright smile. I’m sure it will help my career. Before I waste money on cheap online kits or stuff that they say is free online, I want to know what really works. Is there any safe teeth whitening product that I can get cheap or free? Kamrin

Kamrin – Before we answer your question, we want to ensure you understand: The safest way to brighten your teeth is under a dentist’s supervision. If you do it yourself, the results are unpredictable.

It is possible to get limited results with inexpensive teeth whitening. But don’t expect a super-white smile. The ingredient to look for in effective whitening gel is carbamide peroxide. If you have sensitive teeth, find gel with a lower percentage of the ingredient.

Tips for DIY Teeth Whitening

  • Over-the-counter whitening strips – They can be effective. Check for the amount of carbamide peroxide in the strips. The higher the percentage, the more powerful the strips. But the more powerful strips may cause sensitivity in your teeth. If you experience sensitivity, take a break from the gel for a few weeks before using it again. You can also consider using strips with a lower percentage of carbamide peroxide. You may have to use whitening strips longer than two weeks to get the best results. Wait at least two weeks before using a new box of strips for another round of whitening. It will allow time for the color of your teeth to stabilize.
  • Discounted whitening from a dentist – There are some dentists that offer discounted teeth whitening to their existing patients who keep their dental cleaning and exam appointments. You may have to establish yourself as a regular patient before receiving the whitening treatment. Some dentists who don’t offer discounts provide a payment plan for the treatment.
  • Free or online kits – Avoid online kits that are advertised as free. These often are ineffective, damage your teeth, or have very high shipping fees. It is difficult to verify the active ingredient in free bleaching gel, so it’s best to stay away from it.

Before You Whiten Your Teeth

Photo of teeth whitening trays in a case, for information on DIY teeth whitening from Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Teeth whitening trays keep gel on your teeth

Before you begin whitening your teeth, ensure that they are free of decay and your gums are free of disease. If your oral health isn’t good, the whitening gel can cause irritation. Dentists look for the causes of stains in your teeth to determine if they should be bleached.

If you decide to use bleaching gel that comes in tubes, only use it with customized trays. The trays keep the gel in contact with your teeth and away from your gums.

This post is sponsored by Lowell cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.