MYTHS AND TRUTHS ABOUT TEETH WHITENING

THERE IS A LOT OF INFORMATION CIRCULATING ON THE WEB ABOUT DENTAL BLEACHING. BE WELL INFORMED BEFORE PERFORMING ONE, AS BAD TREATMENT CAN SERIOUSLY DAMAGE YOUR TEETH. HERE WE TELL YOU 9 MYTHS AND TRUTHS ABOUT TEETH WHITENING TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.

# 1 TEETH WHITENING LEAVES THE TEETH SENSITIVE

TRUE. Sometimes peroxide, the active whitening compound, can penetrate the dentin and reach the dental pulp (the "nerve of the tooth") and cause inflammation, so it is common for some patients to show sensitivity during treatment or even for a period after this. But do not worry! On the market you can find products with high concentrations of fluorine and potassium nitrate that can help reduce this sensitivity.

# 2 HOME TOOTH WHITENING DOES NOT WORK

MYTH. All types of whitening follow the same mode of action, the peroxide at different concentrations by releasing oxygen changes the color of the tooth. There are home whitening that work, but there are other over-the-counter products that can damage your teeth if they are not used correctly. Consult your dentist before using them.

# 3 DURING THE TREATMENT YOU CAN NOT CONSUME FOOD OR DRINKS DYES

TRUE. During the treatment you must have a special diet, avoiding the consumption of food and drinks with dyes such as berries, beteraga, red wine, cola drinks, tea and coffee in large quantities, you should even avoid smoking. Avoid the consumption of these products for a better result!

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# 4 THE TREATMENT LASTS FOREVER

MYTH. The effect of whitening diminishes with the passage of time, but usually lasts between 1 to 3 years. The results vary depending on the dental structure of each patient, their habits and their diet. But do not worry! One can perform another treatment or a review without any problem.

# 5 TOOTHPASTE AND HOMEMADE RECIPES LIKE BAKING SODA AND LEMON WHITENING TEETH

Double MYTH. Household pastes have very low concentrations of bleaching agents, but being abrasive they can eliminate external stains and give the appearance of whitening. On the other hand, homemade recipes do not have the potential to whiten teeth. The bicarbonate is very abrasive and produces a momentary effect by removing external stains, but as the enamel streaks the tooth will pigment even more. The lemon is harmful to the structure of your teeth because the acid eats up the enamel leaving exposed dentin that is a yellowish color, making your teeth more sensitive and more prone to generate decay. Home treatments can damage your teeth!

# 6 WHITENING WEAKENS TEETH

MYTH. Being a chemical reaction, it does not cause wear of the tooth structure. The gel acts to lighten the pigments that darken your teeth. But when the whitening is done without control, it can cause irreversible damage to the enamel of the teeth, which causes the tooth to weaken little by little.

# 7 WHITENING IRRITATES THE GUMS

TRUE. If the bleaching gel contacts the gums and is not removed, it may cause irritation or ulcers.

# 8 ANYONE CAN UNDERGO WHITENING

Partially TRUTH The treatment is not recommended in pregnant women, children under 15 years where the enamel is not completely formed, people with little thickness of enamel or exposed dentin, patients with many restorations due to these do not bleach, allergic to any component of the formula , patients with high sensitivity or patients with recessions of the gum.

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# 9 TEETH WHITENING CAUSES CANCER

MYTH. Currently there is no evidence that bleaching compounds cause cancer.

MYTHS AND TRUTHS ABOUT TEETH WHITENING