If you wish for a brighter, more beautiful smile, teeth whitening may be the solution you’ve been looking for. However, there are some situations in which our dentist will recommend against a patient whitening their teeth.
Age
For those under the age of 16, teeth whitening is discouraged. Until this age, the pulp chamber of the tooth is enlarged, so whitening could irritate the teeth.
Pregnancy
If you are pregnant or lactating, our dentist may suggest that you not whiten your teeth.
Sensitive Teeth
In the case of sensitive teeth or gums, receding gums, or damaged dental restorations, speak with our dentist before whitening your teeth.
Allergies
If you are allergic to peroxide, do not use whitening products, as peroxide is often the whitening agent.
Dental Restorations
Dental restorations—which include (but are not limited to) crowns, veneers, and bridges—do not respond to whitening products. If you whiten with dental restorations, the results will be uneven. Talk to Dr. David Duke about alternative ways to improve the shade of your smile.
Untreated Dental Issues
If you have gum disease or worn tooth enamel, you will likely be discouraged from bleaching your teeth. Any cavities that you may have will need to be treated before you have your teeth whitened. This will avoid unnecessary tooth sensitivity. Exposed tooth roots will need to be resolved before bleaching the teeth, as they will not respond to the bleaching product.
We welcome you to contact Dental Designs of Bountiful at 801-295-7171 today to learn more about teeth whitening in Bountiful, Utah, and to schedule a consultation.