Whitening Habits Actually Making Your Teeth Worse

So, you've noticed your teeth are getting a little dull and yellow and you want to whiten them and feel confident again. There are a lot of DIY rumors out there about how you can get your teeth whiter on your own. But not all of these solutions are safe for your teeth. In fact, several home remedies can actually do more harm than good and make your teeth even more susceptible to staining. Access Dental and Dentures is here with all the information you need to know about your whitening routine and what it could be doing to your teeth. Keep reading to find out!

Over-the-Counter Whitener

Anyone who's been to the dental care aisle in any drugstore knows that there are dozens and dozens of whitening products out there... strips, rinses, trays, light treatments, paint-on, toothpaste brands, etc. While these products may be tempting to use, it's important to be careful when you try whitening products at home. A lot of these products can be harsh on your tooth enamel, causing it to wear away and allowing stains easier access to the dentin in your teeth (the part that makes your teeth white). Several of these products can also cause fluorosis - white speckles on the surface of your teeth caused by too much fluoride.

Scraping Your Teeth

Several drugstores offer cheap, imitation dental tools like the scrapers hygienists use when they clean your teeth. It is very important to understand that hygienists have professional training so they can scrape off only the hardened tartar and harmful materials without damaging your tooth's enamel. If you try scraping your teeth on your own, it's very likely that you'll end up damaging your enamel, making staining and decay more probable.

Charcoal Toothpaste

This has become a popular choice for people looking for a DIY whitening solution. Charcoal adsorbs chemicals and materials that cause stains, which can help the charcoal toothpaste lift stains from your teeth. However, charcoal toothpaste is also highly abrasive. Using it too often wears away your enamel and can seriously irritate your gums, causing inflammation.

Too-Hard Toothbrush

When you have stains on your teeth, you may think you need to use a firmer toothbrush and brush hard to "scrub it off". Unfortunately, that's not really how dental stains work. In fact, using a toothbrush that is too firm and getting overly aggressive with your brushing can damage your enamel.

 

Protect Your Enamel

As you may have caught on, a lot of home remedies for stained teeth can actually damage your enamel. Enamel is the layer of your teeth that protects them from bacteria, stains, and decay. To whiten your teeth while keeping them healthy, use a professional whitening service like the one at Access Dental and Dentures! We provide custom-fitted whitening trays that you take home with you. That means you get to whiten your teeth in your own home, to the level of brightness you want, with high-end chemicals that won't damage your teeth. Contact us today to learn more!

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

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