Is Teeth Whitening Safe for Everyone?

There are tons of things that can make your teeth fall short of the perfect white shade you see on TV stars: medication, foods, beverages, and even your genes. Options for a brighter smile include at-home and dental office whitening — but is this the safest route?

At Lancaster Dental Care Associates in Lancaster, California, cosmetic and family dentist Kamran Saidara, DDS, and his team offer teeth whitening options as well as other cosmetic dentistry services to help you have the smile of your dreams.

Why teeth aren’t always "naturally" white

If your teeth aren’t movie star brilliant, don’t be embarrassed — you’re not alone. Most people don’t have naturally shimmering teeth. Your smile might be a little dim for many reasons, including:

Genetics

If your mom and dad don’t have naturally white smiles, you may not either.

Tobacco use

Nicotine can stain your teeth a dark yellowish brown over time.

Medications

Some medications can make teeth darken, usually to a gray color.

Trauma

A damaged tooth can turn darker than those around it.

Foods

Deeply colored foods or spices (like curry or cumin) can darken your teeth.

Beverages

Coffee, tea, red wine, and sodas can also affect your teeth color.

Don’t worry. You can get a whiter smile at home or in our office. All you need is teeth whitening treatment.

All about teeth whitening

Teeth whitening starts with a gel containing hydrogen peroxide. It sticks to your teeth while it works, and sometimes a special kind of light can be used as an activator for more intense whitening.

We offer two options for you to choose from. We can give you a take-home kit that can whiten your teeth over the span of a few treatments, or we can do a complete whitening in our office in about an hour, using a stronger gel to get the shade you want more quickly.

Is teeth whitening safe for everyone?

Overall, modern teeth whitening is safe for most people. The key is to use an approved product with the right concentration of hydrogen peroxide, not to leave the gel on too long, and to protect your gums to avoid irritation. However, some people aren’t good candidates for teeth whitening, including:

• People with already sensitive gums or teeth
• People who have extremely worn enamel
• People with dental materials that could be adversely affected

If you’ve had a dental restoration in the front of your mouth where your teeth show when you smile, the whitening won’t have an effect. This can mean you end up with a darker tooth in your white new smile. If you have a dental restoration planned, have your teeth whitened beforehand, and then have the restoration fabricated to match.  

To learn more about teeth whitening, or to schedule an appointment, call our office at 661-215-8130 or request an appointment online today at Lancaster Dental Care Associates.