Perhaps you have a big event coming up. Maybe you are simply tired of hiding your discolored teeth in photos. Regardless of your situation, usually the most effective way to do so is whitening with your dentist, not strips you find at the store. But when you go in to have the treatment done, the dentist first looks at your teeth and gums for signs of cavities. Is this really necessary? Can you move forward with treatment if you have a cavity? It turns out that this step is important! In this post, you’ll learn how teeth whitening works and why cavities and this treatment don’t mix well.
How Professional Treatment Whitens Teeth
Whether you purchase whitening solutions at the store or go through your dentist, most teeth whitening treatments work similarly. Basically, they use either hydrogen or carbamide peroxide to bleach and lift deep-set stains from your tooth. Compared to what you’ll find commercially, professional-grade peroxide is much stronger and goes beyond the enamel into the dentin layer of the tooth.
Why You Can’t Get Teeth Whitening with a Cavity
When your smile is perfectly healthy, meaning you have no cavities, gum disease, or other structural issue, teeth whitening treatment usually doesn’t cause any sensitivity or pain. If the enamel is especially thin, you may feel a little discomfort as the peroxide penetrates deeper into the tooth; however, fluoride treatment can usually lessen sensitivity by reinforcing teeth’s protective enamel.
On the other hand, if you have a cavity, the tooth is already weakened from decay. As a result, the peroxide treatment can reach the more sensitive layers of the tooth, triggering pain and potentially causing additional damage.
Being Examined Before Teeth Whitening
To prevent this kind of reaction to whitening treatment, your dentist will first examine your teeth and gums to make sure they are infection free. It only requires a few minutes, but it could save you a world of pain. After your teeth pass this exam, you may undergo treatment and see up to 10 shades of improvement!
Although most patients qualify for teeth whitening, your dentist still needs to confirm that your smile is healthy enough before getting started. That way, you don’t have to suffer during your whitening procedure or require additional treatment to fix damage caused by treatment. You can simply enjoy the results and feel completely prepared to let your smile shine!
About the Author
With a patient-focused approach, Dr. Hamid Ranjbaran personalizes treatment to your individual needs. After earning his dental degree, he spent an additional year completing an Advanced Education in General Dentistry program, where he was trained even further in advanced treatments like dental implants and more. Even if all you need is teeth whitening, Dr. Ranjbaran is happy to dedicate his time and attention to making your appointment as pleasant as possible. To schedule an appointment at his practice, Southwest Dental in Rio Rancho, call the office at 505-896-9399 or visit our Contact Us page.