Teeth whitening provides a relatively quick and simple solution to improving personal oral appearance. Below are 5 tips to consider for patients who are researching teeth whitening and different types of teeth whitening methods:

Pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid teeth whitening until after the pregnancy. Data does not support that teeth whitening may be harmful to mothers-to-be and unborn babies; however, women who are pregnant often experience periodontal diseases due to hormone changes, and they may be more susceptible to gingivitis. Teeth whitening may also increase tooth and gum sensitivity.
Most dentists recommend that teens should wait to whiten teeth until the age of 14. The hormonal change in teens affects oral health and increases teens’ sensitivity to teeth whitening products, both at-home (supplied by a dentist) or in a professional dentist’s office. Although teeth whitening may help people of all ages with self-esteem, tweens should wait just a few more years to brighten those pearly whites.
There are multiple teeth whitening methods. Professional teeth whitening methods consist of a variety of techniques, such as custom-fit teeth bleaching trays or laser whitening options. Discuss options with a professional dentist to customize your individual teeth whitening experience.
Before teeth whitening, make sure dental health is pristine. Making sure a patient has no cavities, periodontal diseases, or other oral conditions that may cause harm, is beneficial before cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as teeth whitening. Those regular, 6-month appointments not only benefit oral hygiene and overall health, but they help to ensure that patients have a whiter smile.
Follow all safety precautions and information regarding teeth whitening techniques, at-home and in-office, for optimum results and dental safety. If uncertain, please consult a professional dentist prior to using any teeth whitening products.

For more information regarding teeth whitening and teeth whitening tips, please follow the link to the official Mouth Healthy website, an affiliate of American Dental Association, by clicking HERE.

Some whitening methods are not right for everyone. Consulting a professional dentist regarding cosmetic dentistry may be beneficial to discuss individual oral health. A dentist may recommend veneers or different methods of teeth whitening for each patient. Dr. Ash of Studio Dental Care located in Studio City, California, treats each patient for cosmetic dentistry on a personalized basis. For teeth whitening, veneers, and even general dentistry services, Dr. Ash provides comprehensive care and treatment to all patients in the greater Southern California region.

By Alexander Ash, DDS

Dr. Ash is the founder of Studio Dental Care. He earned his Doctorate at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, followed by two General Residencies at New York-Presbyterian / Weill-Cornell Hospital and the UCLA Sepulveda VA Hospital.