Dentists are noticing that during the summer more and more clients are turning to them for cosmetic dental procedures and teeth whitening. Specialists warn: those who try to save money by whitening their teeth at home can seriously damage their oral health.
Don’t fall for the advertising
Dentist Gintarė Žmuidinavičienė says that when teeth whitening procedures are done at home, it’s easy to damage not only the enamel but also the oral mucosa and gums: “We must remember that the most important thing is an examination and consultation with a dentist. If the specialist, after assessing the condition of your teeth, confirms that you can safely carry out the procedure at home, then teeth can be whitened to a good standard at home using a custom-made tray and gel prepared at the clinic. All other methods are not recommended.”
The strips and gels sold in shops are dangerous because, without a tray, the whitening agent doesn’t reach the necessary spaces between the teeth or, on the contrary, the gel squeezes out everywhere, which can damage the gums and mucosa. Of course, the specialist doesn’t deny that the teeth will become lighter, but such products don’t deliver a long-lasting result or safety for the teeth. Damaged gums may ache or bleed a little, but there are cases when the pain continues for several days and inflammatory processes develop. The long-term consequences lead to dissolving tooth bone and periodontosis.
The dentist also reminds us that whitening toothpastes are full of abrasives — hard, fine crystalline particles intended for polishing: “After accumulated plaque is removed, the teeth temporarily become lighter, but the reverse reaction quickly takes place — the damaged and thinned tooth surface starts to accumulate plaque and darken even more, and sensitivity appears.”
It’s important to read the labels
All labels should be read — and toothpaste is no exception. To protect the enamel surface, you should pay attention to the RDA value (radioactive dentin abrasion or relative dentin abrasivity), which indicates how gentle the toothpaste is. According to established global standards, the RDA value should not be higher than 250. However, advanced dental care specialists assess the numbers more critically — the most favourable RDA value is up to 55, which is also suitable for filled teeth.
From 60 to 80 RDA is a medium-abrasive product, suitable for normal and healthy teeth. When the abrasivity value is 80 or higher, the paste is considered highly abrasive and should not be used more than twice a week. For example, the RDA value of some heavily advertised manufacturers’ pastes reaches 100 or more, so they are extremely abrasive.
The procedure isn’t for everyone
According to G. Žmuidinavičienė, not everyone can have their teeth whitened. “The procedure cannot be carried out when the tooth surface is already polished down, when there’s no longer any enamel and the yellowish dentin shows through. If a client whitens such damaged teeth, sensitivity will be strong and the procedure will not meet expectations. In such cases, cosmetic filling or dental laminating is an option.”
A teeth whitening procedure carried out by specialists doesn’t end the moment you leave the office — the process continues for two weeks, during which it’s especially important to avoid staining products. To make the results long-lasting, they should be avoided at all times. Staining products are not only coffee, wine, various teas and smoking. Even healthy products can be enemies of white teeth, for example berries or pomegranate, carrot and beetroot juices.
The dentist notes that after the first weeks clients sometimes relax and forget that dental care is what matters most. If you can’t resist the temptation of your favourite product or drink, G. Žmuidinavičienė suggests using a straw or rinsing your mouth with water after drinking — then you can enjoy a white smile for longer.
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A dazzling smile and teeth whiter than a sheet of paper — it's the dream of many. Some achieve it by choosing professional teeth whitening procedures, while others look for cheaper alternatives or even whiten their teeth with folk methods. Eurovaistinė pharmacist Fausta Barisevičienė and dentist Gintarė Žmuidinavičienė are convinced that the most important thing is to understand the natural whiteness of your teeth and to choose the products that suit you specifically.
Don’t put off the chance to feel good again – book an initial consultation with a dentist now!
