According to the American Association of Orthodontists, 90 percent of dentist patients make inquiries about tooth whitening. Despite the best dental hygiene, all teeth can go yellow and dull. So when is the right time to get them whitened?
Luckily, we can help explain it to you. Read on as we discuss when you should consider teeth whitening treatments.
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1. You Avoid Conversation
It can be extremely difficult to strike up a conversation if you are trying to hide your teeth. When they are yellow, dark, or stained then you lose confidence. You may find yourself hiding your mouth or muting your reactions so that you don’t smile.
This can often give people the wrong impression of you. They may think you are stony-faced and don’t smile. As a result, you can fail to make connections and miss out on new relationships and friendships.
Should this sound like you, then you may benefit from teeth whitening. Think about your interactions in the coming days, as you may not even realize you are doing it.
2. You Drink Stain Causing Beverages
If you drink a lot of beverages that cause stains, then a teeth whitening treatment may be for you. Acidic fluids and ones that contain a lot of tannins will gradually dull the color of your teeth.
There are some prime culprits for this. Soda is very acidic and is full of sugar, so also causes cavities as well. Coffee is also known to cause staining and if you enjoy the odd glass of red wine, then you will need whitening at some point.
3. You Are Over 35
Aging is a natural process and occurs to your teeth the same as any other part of the body. Unfortunately, teeth will yellow with age despite your best efforts to keep them clean and tidy. The food you eat, your environment, and if you smoke will all have an impact.
While there are many things you can do to turn the clock back, some are more effective than others. A dentist’s treatment for teeth whitening is one of the most effective methods you can undertake.
4. You Are a Smoker
In tobacco products, it is the nicotine and tar that will stain the color of the teeth. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg. There are numerous other problems this can bring with it.
Plaque build-up can increase. This can result in bad breath and gum disease. Other more serious problems include mouth cancers and even a loss of bone in the jaw.
You should attempt to quit smoking altogether. However, if you are finding it hard or you have quit and want to get rid of the after-effects, whitening treatments for teeth should be considered.
5. It Is in Your Genes
Not all yellowing of the teeth is under your control. For some people, the color of their teeth is dictated by genes.
Other factors, such as hair and eye color can be changed with dyes or contact lenses. For your teeth, the solution is regular teeth whitening procedures.
6. You Struggle With Dental Health
Even with the best intent, daily dental hygiene habits can slip. It may be your busy lifestyle or just bad habits. As well as other problems, bad dental hygiene can result in a yellowing of the teeth.
Teeth should ideally be whitened every quarter, though most people do it every six months. While you schedule this, you can get a hygiene check-up with your dentist to prevent any problems from occurring in advance.
If you are struggling with dental health, then do it on the go. Create a small kit for use at the office or keep it in the car. You can even book in-office teeth whitening services to get a fresh smile while you work.
7. You Want Confidence For An Approaching Engagement
Many people choose to have teeth whitening done when they have an approaching engagement. It could be that you want to impress on a coming job interview, or you may have a wedding or party approaching. Whiter teeth can be viewed as an improvement to your look, just as tanning or a new hairstyle would.
This becomes even more important if you are lacking confidence because of yellowed teeth. Speak with your dentist about how long treatment will take. Some procedures may need a few sittings before results can be seen.
When Should You Avoid Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening treatment is not suitable for everyone. In some instances, certain groups of people may find it is not successful. For others, it should be totally avoided.
Anyone under 16 shouldn’t have their teeth whitened. The teeth are still developing at this point and the pulp chamber is larger than fully formed teeth. Whitening treatments may irritate these chambers causing discomfort.
Some people may have allergies and sensitive teeth that exclude them from whitening. Peroxide is an active ingredient in teeth whitening solutions, so if you have experienced problems with it before you should avoid them. If you have sensitive teeth your dentist may also advise against it.
Candidates that have had a lot of prior work done on their teeth should also think of other ways to improve their oral appearance. As crowns, fillings, and bonding are made from different ingredients, they will react differently with the chemicals. This can cause huge differences in the finish.
Teeth Whitening Treatments
Of course, not all teeth whitening treatments are the same. There are different methods and processes. Discuss these with your dentist and see what they recommend.
If you found this article useful, we have many more. From fashion to cosmetics, we can keep you looking great in the coming season.
