If you wish for a brighter 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 in their teens, teeth whitening may be discouraged. Until an individual is about 16, 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 teeth whitening be postponed.
Allergies
In the case of an allergy 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 restorations, the results will be uneven. Talk to Dr. Ryan Gilreath 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 help avoid tooth sensitivity. Exposed tooth roots will need to be resolved before bleaching the teeth, as they will not respond to the bleaching product.
We encourage you to contact Goose Creek Family Dentistry at 843-764-3081 today to learn more about teeth whitening in Goose Creek, South Carolina, and to schedule a consultation.