A lot of people want nothing but to have a great smile. This could mean a perfect set of teeth which are shiny and white. The truth of the matter is, it can be really hard to get perfectly white teeth. The food we eat, the medication we take, health conditions and even our oral habits can all affect the color of our teeth. Luckily, there are a lot of options when it comes to having a great looking smile. One of these is teeth whitening. This process removes surface stains on the teeth and restores it to its natural color. Unlike bleaching it will not whiten teeth beyond their natural color. Instead, it will restore it to its original state.
But the next question is, when is the right time to undergo teeth whitening procedure? How do you know when it’s time? Here are very helpful tips to know when it’s time – or not – to get your teeth whitened.
1. When you aren’t pregnant or nursing. Pregnancy has a lot of restrictions and that includes getting teeth whitened. Products used during the whitening process may not be completely safe for the baby. In the same way mothers who breastfeed should avoid having this procedure done. Since the baby takes in everything the mother does through her milk, the baby may ingest some components from the whitening procedure as well.
2. When you’re sure you really have strong teeth. The process of whitening teeth includes opening the pores of the tooth to be able to reach the dentin beneath the enamel. Those with weak or sensitive teeth may not be able to tolerate this process. The opening of the pores within the teeth may bring about pain similar to that of sensitivity or worse than it. Those who have weak teeth may weaken their teeth further more as well.
3. When You Have No Restorations. Many people often have their teeth restored through veneers, fillings and jackets. These allow teeth which have been damaged to become fixed or whole again. However the presence of these may not make it possible to whiten teeth. The substances used for restorations are not bleachable and will remain the same color they were originally made in. Should whitening be done, restorations will stay the same color while teeth will become whiter. This will only make the problem worse since the color difference will be more obvious.
4. When all your teeth have a good natural color. There may be times when teeth do not have a good natural color. This usually happens in cases where natural tooth discoloration has taken place. Such cases can often be observed in teeth that have been root canalled. Those who have blue or grey undertones to their teeth may not also be candidates for teeth whitening. Those who have yellow undertones in their teeth are the best picks for teeth whitening. Explore the benefits of herbs for teeth health to enhance your oral care routine and ensure you are investing adequate time in maintaining each tooth’s health.
5. When you’re the right age. These days the old and young alike are both interested in having pearly white teeth. However those who are too young or too old may not be good candidates for teeth whitening. As a matter of fact whitening products which can be bought over the counter may not be recommended for children below the age of 12. When it comes to younger ones it is best to wait until 18 before getting teeth whitened. As for the elderly, those who have weak bones and teeth may not be good candidates for whitening anymore.
