Debunking 3 Popular Teeth Whitening Myths

Don’t put off your dream smile because of an untrue piece of information you saw on the internet or heard from someone at work. Teeth whitening is safe and effective when administered by a professional like our Mullins dentist, Dr. Blevins.

For patients interested in the cosmetic procedure, Dr. Blevins offers at-home teeth whitening which includes custom-made whitening trays and a powerful whitening gel. The process is easy to follow and has been clinically proven to work unlike some damaging or borderline dangerous whitening tricks and tips found online.

Here are 3 widely held myths about teeth whitening that do not accurately represent the professional whitening experience.

1st Myth: Teeth Whitening Results in Damaged Enamel

This is the biggest false belief about teeth whitening treatments because as numerous studies have shown, the process of teeth whitening does not cause any damage to your natural tooth enamel.

The only situation in which this myth might be true is if you received teeth whitening supplies from an untrusted source online or had the procedure performed outside of a dental office. In both scenarios, the whitening products may not be properly regulated, could contain illegal levels of bleach, and can put your teeth at risk.

Contrary to what most people think, your enamel is not the source of your tooth’s discoloration. Instead, the layer of tissue underneath the enamel, called dentin, is responsible for absorbing a fair amount of stains.

When teeth whitening gel is applied, you don’t have to worry about the protective outer layer of enamel being stripped away. It is merely being stained a brighter shade of white. Dr. Blevins will be sure to explain every detail of the at-home procedure so you are aware of every aspect before whitening on your own.

2nd Myth: If It’s a Natural Remedy, It Has to Be Safe

We’ve all heard of the pure and natural teeth whitening methods that are designed to lighten up your smile in no time. Some solutions are more far-fetched than others and very few have been shown to have a positive effect on the color of your teeth.

Natural teeth whitening methods to be wary of include:

• Rubbing acidic fruits or fruit peels (lemons, oranges, etc.) on your teeth to remove dark stains
• Practicing oil pulling and swishing coconut oil around in your mouth to lift yellow stains
• Brushing your teeth with a mixture of baking soda and water
• Using any oral care product involving charcoal as a main ingredient

Whereas professional teeth whitening provided by our Mullins dental office is safe for your enamel, natural remedies can often cause damage to that part of your tooth. For instance, if acidic fruits or fruit peels are used deliberately, the enamel will soften and can wear away.

Our cosmetic dentist instead uses safe, but powerful whitening gel to brighten your smile. The gel is also dental-grade and has been proven to efficiently whiten teeth that are discolored.

3rd Myth: You’ll Have Unnaturally Bright Teeth

Teeth whitening procedures are not one shade fits all. What one patient wants will be much too bright for another. The nice thing about most treatments is that they are progressive, meaning you can choose to go brighter if you wish.

In the case of our at-home teeth whitening treatment, you are given control over how white you want your teeth to end up. Dr. Blevins will supply you with custom-made whitening trays and whitening gel, but the process is completed over several weeks.

It’s also important to know that the result of whitening is often predetermined by the original shade of your teeth. If you only have mild discoloration, the final look will not be extreme.

Get Started With Our At-Home Teeth Whitening

When done by a professional, teeth whitening is nothing to fear. Our cosmetic dentist in Mullins, SC, has years of experience in the realm of teeth whitening and will work with you to deliver the shade you’ve always wanted. Call Blevins Dentistry today at (843) 561-4039 or contact us online to set up an appointment.