Professional Teeth Whitening Candidacy in Coral Springs, FL

Tooth Whitening Candidacy Factors

Types of Tooth Discoloration

It’s crucial to understand the types of tooth discoloration — intrinsic and extrinsic — and how they influence the teeth whitening process. Discolored teeth can result from several factors, including:

• Intrinsic stains occur beneath the tooth enamel and are caused by:
  • Age
  • Dental trauma
  • Medications
• Extrinsic stains are within the tooth enamel and are caused by:
  • Smoking
  • Foods like berries and chocolate
  • Beverages like coffee, wine, and tea

Health Requirements

Before undergoing any dental procedure, including professional teeth whitening, it’s crucial to have healthy gums free from periodontal disease. Individuals with healthy teeth and gums, particularly without periodontal disease, are ideal candidates. You won’t qualify if you have any underlying dental problems such as tooth decay and cavities or exposed tooth roots. These issues can cause tooth sensitivity and pain during and after the tooth whitening process.

Other Tooth Whitening Considerations

There are a variety of teeth whitening options available, including in-office treatments, at-home systems, and even natural remedies like baking soda and oil pulling, catering to different preferences and needs.

• Tooth Sensitivity: If you have sensitive teeth, teeth whitening may not be suitable for you. The whitening agents used in the procedure can cause sensitivity and pain in individuals with sensitive teeth.
• Severe Health Problems: If you have severe health problems such as oral cancer or gum disease, professional teeth whitening may not be recommended. It’s essential to discuss any underlying health conditions with your dentist before undergoing any dental procedure.

Teeth whitening is safe when following a dentist’s instructions, emphasizing the importance of adhering to professional guidance for effective and safe results. This reassures that teeth whitening safe practices are not only recommended but essential for maintaining oral health.

Your dentist will examine your teeth and gums before recommending teeth whitening, considering these factors to ensure the treatment can effectively restore the natural color of your teeth while maintaining oral health.

Age Restrictions

Teeth whitening is generally recommended for individuals who are 18 years and older. This is because the enamel on the teeth of children and teenagers is still developing and can be more sensitive to the whitening agents used during the procedure. Additionally, teeth whitening isn’t suitable for baby teeth.

If your child has discoloration, it indicates a more severe issue like tooth decay. Rather than covering up the problem with teeth whitening, we recommend parents take their children to the dentist to discover the root cause and treat it.

Pregnancy

We don’t recommend teeth whitening treatments if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Pregnancy causes oral health changes to the point that receiving teeth whitening treatments can be impractical or complicate the process. Although there’s no evidence that teeth whitening is harmful during pregnancy, it’s best to be cautious and wait until after giving birth or finishing breastfeeding to whiten teeth.

Extensive Dental Work

If you have dental restorations such as veneers, crowns, or bridges, you may not be a suitable candidate for whitening treatment. The tooth whitening agents used in the procedure won’t whiten dental restorations. This is because dental restorations are immune to stainings. If you have these restorations, our Coral Springs dentist will recommend other options to improve the appearance of your smile.

If you’re planning to receive dental restorations, we recommend that you whiten your teeth so your dentist can match the color of your restoration.