What Mistakes Are You Making When Whitening Your Teeth At Home?

Dentist Blog

At-home whitening is popular, but it can be harsh on your teeth. The hydrogen peroxide in the kits is a one-size-fits-all solution. Unfortunately, not everyone's teeth responds to the solution the same, which can lead to problems, such as weakened teeth enamel and increased sensitivity. If you are planning to whiten your teeth at home, here are a few mistakes you should avoid to prevent complications.  

Skipping Seeing Your Dentist 

Although you are planning to whiten your own teeth at home, you still need to involve your dentist. Ideally, your dentist should be the one performing the teeth whitening. However, if you are planning to do it yourself, you should check in with your dentist before buying a whitening kit.  

The dentist can check your teeth to ensure they are able to withstand the peroxide solution in the kit. He or she can also make a recommendation for a kit to use. You can even have your teeth prepped for the whitening. 

Your dentist even needs to be involved after the whitening is completed. He or she will need to check the condition of your teeth and treat any complications that resulted.  

Ignoring the Clock 

Your teeth can handle mild exposure to hydrogen peroxide for a certain period of time. If you ignore the instructions in the whitening kit and leave the solution on for longer than required, you might get the teeth whitening results you want, but your teeth will suffer for it.  

The prolonged exposure to the peroxide could not only weaken the enamel, but also leave white splotches on your teeth. The splotching can sometimes be permanent and difficult to correct.  

The best way to avoid this is to read the instructions thoroughly and use a timer to ensure the whitener is used for the time recommended. You also need to watch how often you use whitening kits. Talk to your dentist about how many times a year you can safely whiten your teeth.  

Failing to Use Custom Trays 

The teeth whitening kits in the store are considered an one-size-fits-all type of solution for everyone. Although this might seem like a benefit, it can actually be a drawback. When you use a store bought kit, the tray might not fit or it could push the peroxide into areas that you did not want it. As a result, you could end up experiencing burns to your gums and other problems.  

To prevent this, talk to your dentist about ordering custom trays. He or she can take a mold of your mouth and order the trays necessary.  

The best way to protect your teeth and gums from the potential harmful effects of teeth whitening at home is to rely on your cosmetic dentist to do it. 

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