There are many misconceptions about professional whitening treatments.

Whitening treatments are becoming increasingly popular among patients as more products pop up on the market. Once considered an exclusive treatment reserved solely for the rich and famous, teeth whitening is actually a simple and affordable treatment available at most dental offices.

Not everyone is aware of the affordability of professional whitening, and with the ever-increasing pressure from social media, work, and school to look your very best, some patients may look for internet remedies to help whiten teeth at home. It’s important to remember that unless directed by your dentist, an at-home whitening treatment could lead to unwanted consequences or cause damage to your teeth. Especially when using remedies found on Pinterest! Instead, contact your local dentist and ask about professional at-home or in-office whitening treatments.

We also find many patients have put off whitening treatments they really want because of rumors of painful, expensive results causing reservations about the treatment. On the contrary, a teeth whitening procedure can be completely safe when overseen by a professional. Dr. Greg Sexton always provides patients with FDA-approved products and will advise how to apply at-home treatments before you use them.

Here are some common teeth whitening myths to help you better understand the benefits of this incredible oral health care treatment.

Myth 1: I have to make an appointment for every whitening treatment.

Some patients prefer to have their teeth whitening performed in the office, but it’s not the only option. It’s true that in-office treatments allow you to receive more powerful whitening solutions, which is recommended for patients who have severe staining.

But for patients who wish to control mild to moderate stains from the comfort of their own home, Dr. Sexton offers safe and effective at-home whitening treatments. The dentist will fit you with a custom whitening tray that provides maximum contact with your teeth and provides you with a prescription-strength whitening treatment. That means you can receive powerful stain-fighting whitening treatments while watching TV in your pajamas or reading a book in bed!

Myth 2: Exposure to whitening lasers is dangerous.

Some professional teeth whitening treatments use laser alternatives like UV or LED to cure the special bleaching gel. Our facility, for example, uses Zoom! Whitening products, which require an LED light. Not only is the light safe for your teeth, but it also helps to deliver faster and brighter results. It’s simple and easy to use. No harmful lasers to worry about.

Myth 3: People with sensitive teeth cannot receive whitening treatments.

Another variation of this myth is that prescription-strength or professional whitening procedures are harmful to the tooth enamel. But in reality, neither is true. On the contrary, the prescription-strength and professional whitening treatments we offer have been known to help strengthen tooth enamel and provide a protective layer against bacteria as well as stains. While those who are prone to teeth sensitivity may want to skip a full strength in-office treatment, professional at-home kits are perfect as they have slightly less powerful chemicals and use a form-fitting tray to help comfortability.

Myth 4: Home remedies work just as well as professional treatments.

Many patients believe that, in place of expensive treatments, they can use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide or certain fruits to achieve results similar to professional whitening. While some bleaching treatments use ingredients similar to those in at-home DIY “whitening” treatments, they are coupled with powerful bleaching agents that help penetrate deep into the teeth as well as ingredients to help protect your enamel. DIY pastes and citrus juice can be harsh on your teeth and scratch or wear down precious enamel.

Myth 5: You can never enjoy coffee, tea, or red wine again.

While it is true that specific foods and drinks can cause stains on your teeth—in some cases, they may be the reason you need your teeth whitened in the first place—it doesn’t mean you can never enjoy them again. In fact, in moderation, red wine can even have antioxidizing properties which can be good for you.

Immediately following your whitening treatment, you will have to adhere to a diet for a short period. During this time, red wines and coffee should be avoided to ensure the best results, but you will be able to enjoy your preferred beverages soon enough. Dentists recommend keeping these types of treats to a minimum and using a straw whenever possible to help reduce further staining on your teeth.

Myth 6: Professional tooth Whitening works for everyone.

Unfortunately, this is also untrue. There are two types of stains that develop on teeth: extrinsic and intrinsic. The former refers to surface stains, like those mentioned above that are caused by certain foods, drinks, or smoking. Intrinsic stains are deep-rooted, typically caused by discoloration of the dentin underneath the enamel. Discoloration issues may need more permanent solutions, like veneers or crowns.

You deserve a dazzling smile.

Gregory Sexton, DDS, leads our highly trained dental team at here in Morristown, TN. We offer patients a wide range of cosmetic dentistry services to help them enhance their smile and, by extension, their whole appearance. When combined with a regular tooth brushing, flossing, and rinsing routine, a bleaching treatment at our office can be long-lasting and effective.