There’s nothing better than the squeaky clean feeling of whitened teeth, which not only feel good but look great too. Whether it’s for a special occasion or you simply want to transform and elevate your smile, teeth whitening is an increasingly common treatment which is no longer reserved for those walking the red carpet.
But with heightened popularity comes the inevitable collection of myths – which span everything from the effect of treatment on oral hygiene, to the safety and longevity of professional teeth whitening. Which is where this article comes in – debunking some of the most common myths that professionals throughout the industry encounter on a regular basis.
What does teeth whitening treatment involve?
Before we dive into the most common myths surrounding teeth whitening, and explore why some of them are categorically false, incorrect, or simply untrue, it’s important to understand teeth whitening as a professional treatment and what it involves.
When you book a professional teeth whitening treatment, you are first invited to a consultation during which your teeth’s current colour will be sampled and then placed against the anticipated end colour following treatment. This allows you to see how your teeth will look after treatment, ensuring that expectations are met from the outset.
Your teeth are then cleaned with an activator, before being coated with a whitening agent approved for professional use in a registered dental practice. A special mouth guard is fitted, and finally a high intensity Blue Spectrum LED light distributed evenly over the teeth in two or three 20 or 30 minute cycles.
The full treatment takes around 60 minutes, with instant results evident from a single session.
Myth #1: You can achieve whitened teeth with DIY methods
We’ve chosen this myth as our starting point because it’s one of the first questions that clients bring to any professional whitening treatment or dental appointment. The simple fact is that while the internet and even high street stores are packed full of DIY and at-home whitening treatment options, nothing compares to a professional whitening package in terms of experience or results.
Professional whitening products are often stronger with a higher potency of the active ingredient and have been approved for use by dental practitioners – meaning they’re not only more effective but safer.
Myth #2: Teeth whitening will make your teeth sensitive
This is an interesting one because there are some products out there, particularly on the DIY teeth whitening market, that will lead to heightened sensitivity. This is because many of these DIY and home products contain peroxide which can weaken the tooth enamel – irritating the nerves of the tooth over time and causing pain and sensitivity.
We class this as a myth because, if you visit a professional dentist and invest in a proper teeth whitening treatment, your teeth will not suffer from sensitivity. In fact, a professional treatment is safe and includes advice and guidance on after care to ensure your teeth remain in the best possible condition – both from a comfort and an aesthetic point of view.
Myth #3: It takes multiple sessions to achieve that white Hollywood smile
As we’ve already discovered, a professional teeth whitening treatment is a single-session process – that is, the results are not only visible but confirmed after a single session. This is because of the professional grade of whitening agent used, combining the paste with the LED light for the best possible finish.
Myth #4: You can get your teeth whitened at a beauticians rather than a dentist
Contrary to popular belief, beauticians cannot legally advertise or carry out teeth whitening treatments. Only a registered dentist can offer and perform teeth whitening – any other service provider who offers teeth whitening in a beauty salon or alternative setting is doing so illegally.
Myth #5: Teeth whitening works on any and all teeth
The truth is that not everyone is well suited to teeth whitening treatment, with those living with gum disease generally advised not to undergo the treatment. It’s also important to note that crowns and veneers cannot be whitened, and so those with these sorts of fittings are advised against whitening treatments by professionals.
To find out whether you are eligible for teeth whitening treatment, or to uncover more myths and facts about the treatment, get in touch with your local dentist.