{"id":432,"date":"2022-02-11T18:55:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-11T18:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.comaldental.com\/blog\/?p=432"},"modified":"2024-07-30T12:23:00","modified_gmt":"2024-07-30T12:23:00","slug":"teeth-whitening-and-cavities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.comaldental.com\/blog\/teeth-whitening-and-cavities\/","title":{"rendered":"Teeth Whitening and Cavities: A Dangerous Combination"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Teeth whitening<\/a> is an incredibly popular way to brighten one\u2019s smile. In fact, 37 million Americans used to give their pearly whites an upgrade in the year 2020. From toothpaste to gels to strips, there is a range of different over-the-counter products available at grocery and drug stores. Though some of them are effective at removing stains, they may harm your smile if used incorrectly. Read on to learn why teeth whitening and cavities don\u2019t mix<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Peroxide, such as hydrogen and carbamide peroxide, is a common ingredient in teeth whitening products. It contains volatile oxygen molecules, which break apart the chemical bonds that hold stains on your enamel when they touch the surface of your teeth. This removes discoloration from your smile to give it a brighter, whiter appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some whitening toothpaste contains a chemical called blue covarine, which changed the color of teeth by depositing a thin, semitransparent film of bluish pigment onto them. This pigment adheres to your smile and creates an optical illusion that makes it look less yellow. Other kinds of toothpaste use abrasives, like charcoal, to polish away stains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can Whitening Products Harm Your Smile?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, there are many ways that whitening your teeth can damage them and do more harm than good. Abrasive toothpaste can cause enamel wear over time, which makes your teeth more susceptible to cavities. Additionally, peroxide can penetrate cavities and make its way to the inner part of the tooth, which is called the dentin. This can agitate the tooth further. In some cases, it may lead to irreversible damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Your Dentist Can Help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To avoid the above issues, it\u2019s best to visit your dentist for professional teeth whitening. During this treatment, a highly effective whitening gel is applied to your teeth. This will lift stains from your smile over a short period to make it look whiter and brighter than before. Professional whitening uses stronger bleaching agents, is more reliable than over-the-counter alternatives, and provides longer-lasting results. Additionally, your dentist will do a thorough exam of your mouth before proceeding with treatment to ensure that you don\u2019t have any cavities or other oral health issues that need to be addressed before moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re considering whitening your smile, ask your dentist what options they have available during your next visit. Before you know it, you\u2019ll be sporting a gorgeous grin that you\u2019re proud of!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Everyone deserves to have a smile that they love. If you think yours could use some work, the compassionate New Braunfels team at Comal Dental is here to help. They offer a range of exceptional cosmetic dental services, including professional teeth whitening, to lift stains from your smile. In just a short time, this will give you the beautiful, luminous smile you\u2019ve always wanted. Are you interested in learning more about teeth whitening or do you want to schedule an appointment with Dr. David Earnest and his Comal Dental team? Call them at (830) 625-1515 or visit their website<\/a> today.<\/p>\n\n\n