Busting Five Myths about Teeth Whitening

busting myths about teeth whiteningMiami and Coral Gables, FL

There are so many ways to whiten your smile: toothpaste, store-bought kits, or going to your cosmetic dentist for a professional whitening treatment. With so many options, there are a lot of misconceptions about teeth whiteners. Miami Designer Smiles wants to make sure you are educated on the topic, by debunking these five myths about teeth whitening.

Myth 1) All teeth whitening products are created equal 

This is the most widespread myth of them all. The fact is that the active ingredients in a store-bought whitening product simply are not as powerful as the whitening agents used by your Miami cosmetic dentist in a professional teeth whitening treatment. This myth has become widespread because any teeth whitening product uses the same base ingredient, hydrogen peroxide, to break down the stains that discolor your teeth. However, the hydrogen peroxide in any over-the-counter whitening product likely has degraded in both strength and quality. Hydrogen peroxide is just like any other chemical compound, in that its potency can be diminished if not maintained in ideal conditions. By contrast, your cosmetic dentist uses prescription-strength hydrogen peroxide. The concentration of the peroxide is stronger than what you find in any over-the-counter product. Dentists also have a greater knowledge of how to use these whitening products safely, and how they can impact your tooth enamel. Your Miami cosmetic dentist also has access to professional tools that deliver the whitening agent more effectively, exposing a greater quantity of the tooth surface to the whitener.

Myth 2) Whitening does damage to your teeth 

This is true at times, but not in all cases. This is yet another reason to go to your cosmetic dentist to whiten your teeth because we monitor the whitening process, and only use whitening agents that are suitable for your case. At Miami Designer Smiles, we offer the KoR Deep Bleaching System, which is known to cause almost no additional tooth sensitivity for most people.

Myth 3) There’s no difference between a whitening toothpaste or a whitening treatment 

Absolutely false. Many varieties of toothpaste promise whiter teeth, but the reality is that a few minutes of brushing with a whitening toothpaste never can match up to a whitening product. Whether you choose a store-bought method or to go to your cosmetic dentist, either option continually exposes your teeth to the peroxide for 20 to 30 minutes.

Myth 4) Foods and beverages cause all the stains that form on teeth

In most cases, your teeth become discolored because of the frequent consumption of foods and beverages, or the use of tobacco. These type of stains are extrinsic because they form due to exterior factors and develop in the enamel. However, intrinsic stains also can develop, forming in the dentin—the layer of your tooth structure underneath the enamel. Intrinsic stains may form because of an injury to the tooth, or a side effect of taking certain medications, such as the antibiotic tetracycline. The KoR system used at Miami Designer Smiles has proven successful in lightening and even removing tetracycline stains.

Myth 5) Whitening treatments hurt 

You may experience some brief sensitivity to hot and cold following a whitening procedure administered by your Miami cosmetic dentist. However, this enhanced sensitivity can be more pronounced and longer-lasting using at-home kits, especially if the peroxide has aged or you do not apply the whitening treatment correctly. Relying on a store-bought kit with trays and strips made to fit anyone’s mouth means they are more likely to slip and shift when worn, sliding on the teeth and potentially having the peroxide make contact with your gums. Your team of cosmetic dental professionals at Miami Designer Smiles has the expertise to prevent these type of errors from occurring.

Teeth Whitening at the Dentist in Miami

Our cosmetic dentists, Drs. Raul Garcia and Conchi Sanchez-Garcia, have worked with and researched a wide variety of different methods to whiten teeth. We believe that the KoR Deep Bleaching System is the superior treatment option on the market today. In addition to being able to treat both extrinsic and intrinsic stains, it can produce dramatic results, whitening your teeth by up to 16 shades. This whitening treatment can be used on patients of any age all the way from adolescence to the elderly, producing fabulous results that last.

Whitening your teeth can make such a difference in the appearance of your smile, as well as your self-esteem. To find out more about the KoR Deep Bleaching System, contact our office today by calling (305) 595-4616. We are now accepting new patients, and a member of our administrative staff will be happy to schedule a consultation for you.

Miami Designer Smiles is proud to offer the highest level of oral care to our patients in the areas of Miami and Coral Gables in South Florida.