If you’d like whiter and brighter teeth, you’re certainly not the only one! Plenty of people want the Hollywood smile a teeth whitening treatment can offer. However, if you jump into the process “guns blazing,” you could end up harming your dental enamel – and experiencing some serious pain. Keep reading, and you’ll see why cavity treatment should always come before teeth whitening.
The Science Behind Teeth Whitening
How could a noninvasive treatment like teeth whitening possibly harm your oral health? And what’s dental enamel? Let’s address these two questions before getting to the heart of the matter.
Your teeth have multiple layers, and enamel, dentin, and pulp are the main ones. Enamel is the outermost layer, and serves to protect the other two more sensitive layers from bacteria and stimuli.
Like your kitchen countertop, dental staining typically occurs when bacteria and strong pigments settle into your enamel’s pours. The chemicals used in a teeth whitening treatment are specially formulated to slip past these pours and eliminate discoloration. So it all has to do with chemistry and your smile’s natural shield!
How Cavities Complicate the Process
When you have an existing case of cavities, what’s happening is accumulated bacteria produce enough acid to eat through your dental layers – starting with your enamel. Since your enamel is weakened, the teeth whitening chemicals can instead interact with your dentin or pulp. This can make the treatment painful, and risks worsening the ongoing dental decay.
Can I Still Get a Whitening Treatment?
After taking care of any cavities, yes! Your dentist will be happy to restore the structural integrity of your teeth with fillings or crowns. Once they’re properly protected again, you should be able to receive teeth whitening without complications.
This is also why it’s important to schedule a consultation with your dentist before diving right into any dental treatment! During these appointments, your dentist will preemptively check for signs of conditions like cavities, and help you build a treatment plan if necessary. To promote a safe and comfortable experience, this step should always come before dental cosmetics.
About the Practice
At Richland Dental, we understand that dental cosmetics have the potential to drastically change a patient’s life. Treatments like teeth whitening can provide a huge confidence boost, so it’s important to promote a positive dental experience. Our highly skilled professionals are compassionate and gentle, and are aided by noninvasive technology like digital X-rays and intraoral cameras. We’ll make sure you get the quality, comfortable care you deserve! To contact our office, call 972-200-8006.