It seems to be a universal desire to have sparkling white, strong-looking teeth. Perhaps there’s something ingrained in human nature that we like to see someone with that dazzling smile. If your teeth are white, then you feel confident. The fact is, though, maintaining white teeth is difficult even with the proper brushing and flossing regimen. There are many different over-the-counter teeth whitening options, but are any of them worth pursuing? We spoke to a cosmetic dentist in Mission Viejo, and this is what we learned.

Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening is Seldom Effective

At this point, there are various companies which offer teeth whitening products of all varieties. They claim that the use of their products will get rid of unsightly oral stains from such things as tobacco, red wine, the consumption of berries, and the drinking of colas which can easily turn your teeth yellow or brown. For instance, there are teeth bleaching trays which make bold claims that they can eradicate these problems, and you can probably pick them up right down the block at your local drugstore.

While these methods might produce some degree of teeth whitening, it’s hardly an exact science, as a dentist in Mission Viejo CA will surely tell you if you ask them about it. Suppose that the trays you’re using don’t seem to be producing the effects that they said they were going to, or they aren’t giving you the desired results fast enough. You might decide to increase your use of the trays to speed up the process.

What you’re doing is increasing the exposure of your gums and teeth to the active ingredient that is meant to cause the whitening. That’s not necessarily safe or advisable for you to do. You can harm your gums, and you can also over-bleach your teeth, which can cause a transparent look that is even more alarming than the stains which were visible before.

There are worse concerns than that, though. You can also cause increased sensitivity of your teeth if you subject them to the active ingredient in whitening kits too often. Your teeth will grow weaker, which means they can be more easily damaged down the line. You can also bring about a state of hypersensitivity. You won’t be able to eat some foods as easily, or you won’t be able to abide cold drinks or frozen foods like ice cream.

Tooth sensitivity is something that can bring about a whole range of problems that are much worse than the stains that led you to start using the tooth bleaching trays. You’ll have to start buying sensitive toothpaste and being much more mindful of what you eat. It’s not a condition that anyone in Mission Viejo is likely to enjoy.

On top of all that, some of these teeth bleaching kits can cause severe gum irritation and penetrate any existing cavities. You would likely have had to get those cavities filled at some point anyway, but exposure to a bleaching agent can exacerbate the situation and make them exceedingly painful. Then you’ll need to get to a dentist immediately to alleviate that discomfort.

It’s even possible for the bleaching agency to affect your stomach. The bleaching trays you get at a drugstore make it easy for you to swallow a little bit of the bleaching agent, and it should come as no surprise that you wouldn’t want to ingest anything of that nature. It can cause irritation or even damage to the esophagus and stomach lining.

So, What Alternatives Are There?

If Mission Viejo residents shouldn’t be using teeth whitening trays that you can purchase over the counter, then how can you get your teeth whiter? One way is to be more mindful of what you’re eating. You should restrict your consumption of things like red wine and cola drinks. If you must consume them, you can try using a straw whenever possible. That way the liquid goes directly down your throat with minimal exposure to your teeth.

You can also try to wash your mouth out with cool water whenever you finish eating some strawberries, blackberries, or anything else that is likely to stain your teeth. Swish the water around thoroughly in your mouth and then spit it out. Repeat the process two or three times till you’re confident that any of the food residue is gone.

Lastly, you should try to avoid smoking or using any tobacco products if at all possible. Doubtless, you have heard from many sources that use of tobacco is bad for you, but it can produce many adverse oral effects that go far beyond teeth staining. Unsightly stains on teeth from tobacco use is no picnic, but the possibility of various cancers should be an even more significant concern.

Better Teeth Whitening Methods

You can also get your teeth whitened by a Mission Viejo cosmetic dentist in a professional setting. In-office teeth whitening uses only materials that will not have any adverse effects on your teeth or gums, and it is applied after your dental clearance by your dentist. It is a one-step professional custom- made whitening process, while it will make a significant difference that should last you for several months. It’s also affordable and won’t cause you any discomfort at all.

You can also purchase a home tooth-whitening kit from a cosmetic dentist in many cases. This These kits are completely customized for your teeth for safety of your gum and teeth. These kits are much safer than the ones you can buy over-the-counter. They contain explicit directions on how to use them and they’re free of any potentially toxic ingredients. Plus, you can always call your cosmetic dentist with any questions you have about using them.

If your teeth are discolored and you want to take action, visit our website at Teeth Whitening Service Page and talk to us about some of the possible solutions to the problem. It’s best that you get some advice before grabbing one of the many bleaching trays or white strips that are on store shelves. Some of them might provide minimal assistance with the issue, but others may turn out to be downright harmful. Talk to the pros and let us guide you to a whiter smile.

To learn more about the benefits of cosmetic dentistry in Orange County, please call (949) 364 – 9600 today for an appointment with a cosmetic dentist at Aria Dental in Mission Viejo.