Are you trying to rival floodlights with your pearly whites? Looking to match your teeth to your wedding dress? No matter your goal, there are mistakes you can make when bleaching your teeth that will leave you in tears at best and covering your mouth at worst.
Teeth whitening mistakes to avoid include:
- Not checking with your dentist
- Not following directions
- Using the latest TikTok find
- Overindulging in certain foods and drinks
- Ignoring issues that arise
This blog explores why teeth stain and common mistakes patients make when whitening them—number three might surprise you! We’ve also included some tips to avoid new stains—allowing you to keep your smile brighter for longer—and details on related cosmetic dentistry options.
Keep Your Smile Brighter: Reasons Teeth Stain
Various factors can cause tooth staining, and our team can help you pinpoint more specific causes following your cosmetic consultation.
Here are a few of the common reasons for yellow teeth, enamel stains, and tooth discoloration:
- A natural part of aging
- Certain medications
- Foods and drinks
- Tobacco use
Fortunately, there are ways to lessen tooth staining and keep your smile bright. Keep reading to learn more.
5 Common Teeth Whitening Mistakes
To avoid common tooth-whitening mistakes in Lindenhurst, NY, we have made a list below to show you what some people forget to do.
#1 Not Checking with Your Dentist
First, we recommend never whitening your teeth with store-bought systems. However, if you plan to use whitening toothpaste or over-the-counter whitening strips, it’s best to clear it with your dentist first.
Remember, teeth whitening will not lighten restorations. Your dentist can advise you more when you book your tooth whitening consultation.
#2 Not Following Directions
If we prescribe the Zoom! take-home kit, be sure to follow the directions. Leaving the treatment on your teeth too long or mixing it with other products can harm your oral health, leading to tooth sensitivity and worse. If you have questions about your treatment, contact our dental office for guidelines.
#3 Not Hanging Hope on Viral Internet Trends
The TikTok video looks legit. There is even a before-and-after clip. The influencer mixed up a beautiful concoction, purchased a powerful tooth-bleaching system, or has one for sale, and it worked! But, according to Newsweek, dentists are sounding the alarm on TikTok teeth-whitening trends.
Please, don’t be fooled. The internet and social media are lit with fix-it-quick schemes that can harm teeth.
Trust your Lindenhurst dentist to brighten your teeth to prevent enamel damage, tooth sensitivity, restoration failure, and uneven results. Remember, even over-the-counter, seemingly harmless treatments may not be safe for every oral health profile.
#4 Overindulging in Tooth-Staining Foods and Drinks
This is a big one that can hamper your results and cause new tooth stains. If you indulge in the foods and drinks below, try to curb your enthusiasm at least some of the time or rinse/clean your mouth thoroughly after partaking.
Foods and drinks to avoid and limit include:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Red wine
- Soda
- Bright sauces
- Curries
- Berries
An excellent way to think about tooth-staining foods and drinks is to determine what caused your teeth to stain initially. What are some of your tooth-staining favorites? In what treats did you overindulge?
Tobacco in all forms is a powerful tooth stainer, and it is bad for your teeth, gums, and overall wellness. We recommend quitting!
#5 Not Ignoring Those Rare Complications
Professional teeth whitening is the safest way to whiten your smile. However, sometimes, you’ll encounter an unexpected issue. For example, you may notice lingering tooth sensitivity or an irritated spot on the gum or soft tissues.
Most of the time, your dentist will recommend halting treatment for a few days to rest your smile because the issues are temporary.
However, if you encounter ongoing sensitivity or other issues, don’t ignore them. Contact a dental team member for guidance.
About Zoom! Teeth Whitening in Lindenhurst, NY
We use Zoom! Teeth Whitening because it’s fast, efficient, and gives our patients fabulous results.
The first step is a tooth whitening consultation with our cosmetic dentist. The appointment determines your candidacy for whitening, answers your questions, and shares costs.
- If you decide to proceed with professional teeth whitening, we typically start with a teeth cleaning. This enhances your results by removing tartar, which acts as a barrier to the whitening gel.
- Next, we take impressions of your teeth to fabricate a special whitening tray. You fill the tray's tooth receptacles with our prescription-strength gel and whiten on your own time.
- You need only wear your trays for up to half an hour daily to enjoy fabulous results—shades up to six times whiter!
- It’s essential to follow the instructions provided by our dental office when whitening your smile at home.
Teeth Whitening as Part of Your Smile Makeover
You can incorporate professional teeth whitening into your smile makeover. However, it’s essential to consult your dentist because your dream smile requires careful planning. For example, teeth whitening is often the first step because it allows you to choose whiter prosthetics and restorations later—prosthetics and restorations will not bleach with professional teeth whitening.
Options for cosmetic dentistry in Lindenhurst, NY, include:
- Dental Veneers — Thin but strong tooth shells that deliver a Hollywood-caliber smile by concealing most tooth flaws—from gummy smiles to short teeth and discoloration.
- Tooth-Colored Restorations — Dental crowns and other restorations enhance your smile while protecting your teeth.
- Dental Bonding — Bonding is an inexpensive way to hide tooth flaws, such as chips, cracks, and discoloration.
- Invisalign® Clear Aligners — Relying on clear aligners, Invisalign is a discreet way to straighten your teeth without metal brackets and guidewires.
- Tooth Replacement — We offer everything from dental implants to bridges!
Your Lindenhurst dentist can combine one or more options to help you achieve your dream smile. We can also work on a timeline that fits your budget and lifestyle.
At Pearly Place Dental, our goal is to help you achieve yours!
For SafeTeeth Whitening without Mistakes, Contact Us Today
We want you to achieve excellent teeth whitening results safely. We would hate to see you damaging your teeth through common whitening mistakes.
To learn more about professional teeth whitening, including blunders to avoid, or to schedule your consultation with our cosmetic dentist, call us at (631) 226-1900.
We accept a wide range of dental insurance plans and are pleased to work with financing through CareCredit. This dental/medical credit card allows you to get recommended and elective services without compromising your budget. Many plans offer interest-free financing. A team member can help you apply; decisions usually arrive digitally within minutes.