Are your teeth stained or discolored? Do you ever feel embarrassed, or even ashamed, to show off your smile? Teeth whitening may be the solution! Some great ways to whiten your teeth include coming to Jeppson Dental for an in-office treatment or for a take-home whitening kit. We suggest that you always check with Dr. Joe Jeppson before whitening your teeth and that you avoid the following common teeth whitening mistakes:
Overusing Teeth Whitening Strips
Whitening strips are a popular way to whiten the teeth at home. Take care not to overuse whitening strips. Do not keep them on your teeth for longer than instructed and do not use them more often than recommended. Doing those things will not actually make your teeth whiter but can instead cause tooth sensitivity.
Whitening With Baking Soda
Baking soda can scrub the surface of your teeth and remove some surface stains. However, it cannot remove older stains. In addition, baking soda is abrasive and can potentially harm any weak areas of your tooth enamel. This can cause tooth sensitivity.
Whitening With Food-Based Acids
Some people try to whiten their teeth using things like apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. The problem with using apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to whiten the teeth is that they are acidic. Acidic foods can damage the enamel, which can cause tooth decay.
Using a Whitening Tray That Doesn’t Fit Well
One-size-fits all whitening trays are often included with over-the-counter whitening kits. These trays can leak whitening gel if they do not fit correctly. This can irritate your gums and mar the whitening results that you were hoping for. Our dentist recommends that you receive a custom-made whitening tray from our office if you would like to whiten your teeth at home.
We invite you to contact our office at 801-356-7701 today with any questions about teeth whitening in Provo, Utah, and to schedule a consultation.