Everyone wants healthy and white teeth. Teeth whitening procedures can take place in almost any dental clinic nowadays. In fact, you can buy some DIY teeth whitening kits and try the procedure yourself at home. However, since there is so much misinformation on the Internet, it can sometimes stop people from seeking treatment.
There are several myths surrounding teeth whitening. It is important to debunk these myths and learn about the truth, so you do not miss out on one of the top dental treatments. For any Columbia dental emergency, visit your nearest dentist today.
Myths about teeth whitening
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Teeth whitening damages the tooth enamel.
The tooth enamel is the topmost protective layer on your teeth. It protects your teeth from damage caused by certain food items. There are two types of whitening- oxygen and mechanical whitening.
Oxygen whitening is a carefully done, effective method where active oxygen is used to decolorize the pigments that stain your teeth. Enamel abrasion occurs in mechanical whitening, which dentists do not opt for.
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You can whiten crowns, veneers, and fillings.
This myth is completely false. Teeth whitening treatments in Columbia were designed to keep your natural teeth in mind. Therefore, the procedure won’t be effective in whitening artificial materials like crowns, veneers, and fillings. In fact, these won’t respond to the whitening process at all.
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Whitening toothpaste is effective.
You may have seen several advertisements of companies selling teeth whitening toothpaste which is sold at a higher price than their regular toothpaste. One tip: do not waste your money on them.
For the whitening process, the chemicals need to be in contact with the teeth for an extended period of time. Since people brush and rinse their mouths for only a few minutes, the process proves ineffective.
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Any teeth can be whitened.
Unfortunately, no. While everyone desires a good, shiny set of teeth, not everyone is lucky enough to get them. It depends on the individual’s dental health. The following cannot be whitened with professional teeth whitening process:
- Fillings.
- Spots and discoloration formed by antibiotics and other drugs.
- Dead teeth or teeth with a removed nerve.
If your teeth fall in one of these categories, you will probably need veneers to fix your discolored teeth.
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Oil pulling removes stains.
Oil pulling is a traditional method of removing teeth stains by swishing oil (sesame, coconut, or any other kind) inside your mouth. Much anecdotal evidence suggests this method works; there is still no medical or scientific proof of the same.
