Some
people think that taking teeth-whitening measure into their own hands would
save them more time and money. Little do they realize that not consulting their
dentists or buying non FDA-approved products online can cause them more harm
than good. Don’t fall for bad bleaching habits like they did. Avoid these 8
teeth-whitening faux pas.
Never go rogue with teeth-whitening until you’ve
consulted your dentist first.
Though visiting the clinic
can sometimes be a drag, having your dentist make sure you
are clear from tooth decay or cavities can save you major pain and severe teeth
damage in the future.
2. Giving Whitening Mouth Rinses a Shot
Don’t. It won’t give you the result that you
want. Plus, teeth-whitening mouthwashes contain a high level of alcohol which
could be harmful for other parts of your mouth. Save your money instead, and
give teeth-whitening mouth rinses a miss.
3. Leaving Strips on For Too Long
Breaking
the rules is one thing, not following instructions is another. Don’t be that kind
who doesn’t. The time limit instructions are there for a reason. And if you
think you are doing your teeth a favor, then you’re mistaken. Leaving whitening
strips on for too long and using them too often can lead to splotchy teeth,
burned gums, and irritated nerves.
4. Neglecting to Check for the FDA Seal
Bleaching
can be costly. That’s why more people opt for budget-friendly options online.
But be careful! Many products online arenot FDA-approved. These non
FDA-approved teeth-whitening products damage your teeth because they contain
chemical concentrations and fillers.
5. Taking Teeth-Whitening to the Extreme
Going
overboard with bleaching may result to your teeth losing its vitality and
healthy sheen, having a chalky appearance, and taking on a blue-ish hue—a fry
cry from that stark white and dazzling smile you are aiming for. A good
indicator of a perfectly healthy set of ivories is when the color of your teeth
matches the whites of your eye.
6. Being Inconsistent
Whitening
does not work overnight. It takes time so you must be consistent in using them.
When you stop using the product and doing your usual teeth-whitening routine,
you may have to go through the process again and start from scratch. The
bottomline? Follow the instructions.
7. Sticking to Your Lifestyle
If
you want change, then you need to make a change. And, in this case, it needs to
begin with your lifestyle. Wanting teeth as white as ivories? Cut back on
teeth-darkening vices such as cigarette smoking, and coffee and tea drinking.
8. “One size fits all.”
This isn’t true when it comes to dental trays.
Skipping a dentist’s customized dental tray for your teeth and instead, opting
for a generic tooth guard is a huge mistake. Since these tooth guards does not
fit your teeth perfectly, using it will result to you accidentally spilling and
swallowing the whitening solution which, in turn, can irritate your throat and
gums.