Fiction Versus Fact: 8 Tooth Whitening Myths

Tooth whitening is a great option to brighten up a dull smile. Heading to your Tulsa dentist for professional treatment is the perfect way to address stains and discoloration.

But what about DIY or home remedies? Will one whitening treatment do the trick? Time to distinguish between fact and fiction. This article debunks some popular myths about this cosmetic dentistry option.

1. Coconut Oil Can Help

The myth is that swishing coconut oil multiple times in your mouth can help with stains and discoloration on your teeth. Sadly, this is not the case. There is no evidence to back up this tooth whitening home remedy. Unless you have coconut oil kicking around in your house, you may end up losing money when attempting this.

2. Results Last Forever

Professional whitening offers some incredible results. However, the procedure does not last forever. You may still have to undergo the treatment about once a year for maintenance reasons. The good news is that your dentist in Tulsa may offer both in-office and home options for you. Both are effective for removing stains and discoloration.

3. The Perfect Smile

Everyone wants to attain that perfect smile. Tooth whitening is a great treatment to address stains and discoloration. However, results can vary from person to person. Some smiles simply respond better than others. As you age, your tooth enamel breaks down. Older teeth can appear more yellow and dull. While this procedure helps improve that, it doesn’t always remove all stains and discoloration. This is due to some factors, which include age, genetics, and staining level. Finally, red wine lovers, coffee drinkers, and smokers often have severe cases of discoloration. This can impact treatment, too.

4. The Acidic Fruit Factor

Berries, coffee, and wine can heighten the level of stains. But there’s also myth that acid fruit consumption can help with whitening. Sadly, acid fruit damages tooth enamel. No evidence supports this myth, either.

Speaking of fruit, some people have also tried “rubbing” fruit on their teeth to help with whitening. Items like strawberries, lemons, and banana peels. Once again, this could be harmful to your teeth, and you are risking tooth decay.

5. Crowns, Veneers, and Fillings (Oh My!)

You cannot further whiten crowns, veneers, and fillings. Tooth whitening is only effective on natural teeth. With that said, porcelain veneers are an interesting cosmetic dental treatment. They not only help with smiles that suffer from cracks, chips, and crookedness, they also are permanent ways to address stains and discoloration.

6. Not Good For Sensitive Teeth

Have sensitive teeth? There’s no need to worry about tooth whitening. There are certainly options that decrease sensitivity during treatment. Your dentist will work with you during the process to ensure you are comfortable and that the procedure is pain-free. They’ll do all they can to accommodate your needs.

7. It Can Be Harmful To Tooth Enamel

If a good quality whitening gel is used, then there is no concern around tooth enamel damage. Especially when you choose to head to a dentist versus over-the-counter products.

8. Store-Bought Kits Can Do The Trick

While on the topic of over-the-counter whitening products, it’s best to head to your Tulsa dentist for this treatment. For many reasons. Firstly, it is far safer to have a professional handle this procedure. Kits are not necessarily “dangerous”, but you know your dentist will do the job well and right. After all, they’ve had years of education and training.

Plus, the results are far more effective because the whitening gel agents are stronger. Lastly, in the long run, if you go with store-bought kits, you’ll be wasting money. You won’t get the results you are looking for. Therefore, may keep buying over-the-counter products until you realize it’s time to head to your Tulsa dentist.

Looking For Teeth Whitening in Tulsa, OK?

Here’s a fun fact about tooth whitening. You can achieve the results you desire by reaching out to élan Tulsa Cosmetic Dentistry, today. We provide both in-chair and home tooth whitening kits to our patients.

Firstly, our in-office system is Zoom Whitening. It can quickly brighten your teeth within an hour. The treatment uses a special whitening gel and light that helps to remove stains and discoloration. It brightens teeth up to eight shades in one visit, too.

Meanwhile, élan Tulsa Cosmetic Dentistry also offers home teeth whitening solutions in take-home bleaching kits. Dr. Hodges will provide you with custom trays that will perfectly fit your teeth. During a convenient time, simply use the professional-strength teeth whitening gel and apply as directed. Home whitening kits from us offer amazing results. You often see a difference after one application. However, we recommend you continue to use the system for 10 to 14 days to attain that brighter smile.

To book an appointment, please schedule a visit online.