Is it worth it to get teeth whitened?

The good news is that professional teeth whitening is suitable for most people with permanent teeth and good oral health. If you don't experience gum tenderness or gum retraction, you may be less sensitive to chemicals in whitening procedures. In addition, it works well for people with persistent, yellowish spots, but it doesn't always whiten brown and greyish spots. Whitening treatments are a great option for people who haven't had any previous treatment on their front teeth; tooth-colored fillings, crowns and caps can't be whitened like other teeth.

You can always check with your dentist to find out if you're a good candidate and to get more teeth whitening options available to you. It's important to keep in mind that a treatment doesn't mean your teeth are eternally white. Discoloration doesn't last forever, Lowenberg says. We can whiten your teeth in the office, but over time, they discolor.

To maintain it, we make custom trays for you to take home. Once your teeth are white, you can do it once a month for half an hour to maintain whiteness. As a general rule, all DIY projects carry some type of risk, whether it's a health risk or a durability issue. Building a chair is more dangerous than buying one; cooking over an open fire is more complicated than ordering takeout; and, logically, whitening your teeth at home isn't as safe as doing it professionally.

Unfortunately, professional teeth whitening won't permanently remove stains from your teeth. Your teeth will begin to return to normal and follow-up appointments may be necessary to whiten your teeth. If your teeth are still slightly yellow after professional teeth whitening, that doesn't mean it hasn't worked. Known for its incredibly dramatic results, this teeth whitening gel claims to give you whiter teeth in just two days, depending on the brand.

If you took tetracycline as a child, for example, for an ear infection, you may have antibiotic stains on your teeth. Here are some things you might not know about professional teeth whitening so you can go to your appointment feeling informed. According to Kantor, these sensations were normal and were signs of my teeth's sensitivity to the high percentage of hydrogen peroxide. Walk down the toothpaste aisle of a typical pharmacy and you'll see a range of products that promise to whiten your teeth.

Foods such as coffee, soft drinks, and tea can leave your teeth dark or yellowish after you've drunk plenty of them. Before any actual whitening begins, your dental professional will clean your teeth and gums of plaque and tartar, and fill any cavities that need care. If you want to compromise between effectiveness and cost, a take-home teeth whitening kit may be your best option. This allows colored additives in foods and beverages to penetrate and stain teeth from the inside.

The cost of home teeth whitening kits and professional procedures varies by brand and practice.

Jocelyn Pellegrini
Jocelyn Pellegrini

Infuriatingly humble travel advocate. Typical web advocate. Unapologetic sushi lover. Lifelong pop culture fanatic. Award-winning pop culture nerd. Avid reader.