Before You Whiten Your Teeth at Home…

Millions of Americans are still stuck at home amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you are at home due to job loss, working from home, or homeschooling your kids, you have probably found that you have a lot more time on your hands. Given this “extra” time that we all have, many people are looking around and wondering what they can fix or update. While many people are looking around their homes for new projects, many people have become aware of how dull their smiles are as they have been forced to participate in Zoom conferences and facetime meetings. Before you choose to whiten your teeth at home, there are certain things you need to be aware of in order to protect your smile.

First of all, you should always ask your dentist before beginning any type of at-home dental procedure. Your dentist has firsthand knowledge of your oral health. S/He should be aware of any underlying concerns that will make teeth whitening ineffective, or that will cause further damage to your smile. A simple call into the dentist’s office can provide you with the information you need.

Secondly, if your dentist gives you the go-ahead, you must make sure to read and follow the directions. The most common causes of damage by at-home teeth whitening products are by using the products in excess or keeping the products on the teeth for too long. Many think that if they leave the whitening product on for a little while longer, they will achieve better results. This is a huge mistake! Leaving whitening strips or gel on for too long can cause uneven whitening to occur, chemical burns on the gum tissues, and irreversible tooth damage.

Lastly, be cautious of anything that claims it is a “one size fits all” solution. Nowhere in life is there a single solution that will work for everyone. Using trays that claim to be for any sized mouth will not give you the results you desire.

At Engineered Smiles, we know that your smile matters to you, and our practice can still assist you with information you need to safely and effectively whiten your teeth at home. Contact us today.