When Teeth Whitening Is Not Recommended

Teeth whitening is a very safe treatment which can help improve the appearance of your smile, removing dark staining caused by smoking, food and drinks such as coffee and red wine. But while whitening the teeth is suitable for most people, there are some patients who do not suit the treatment. If you fall into this category, we are able to advise you on more suitable treatments such as veneers and dentures.

Here are some of the reasons why alternatives to teeth whitening should be considered in some cases.

Cavities

Before undertaking any whitening process, we always check for abnormalities in the teeth structure, such as cavities. These can be made worse during the teeth whitening process and can also cause the procedure to be quite painful. Should cavities be found, we will endeavour to treat these before any cosmetic dental treatment is begun. This not only gives you the best possible results, but also ensures your safety and comfort during treatment.

Exposed or Sensitive Roots

For similar reasons as those listed above, it’s not a good idea to have your teeth whitened if you have exposed or sensitive roots. The whitening process often causes extra sensitivity to teeth, which can make the whitening procedure painful for those with already exposed roots and the associated sensitivity. For some, whitening already sensitive teeth can cause pain in daily life, and for that reason we advise against the procedure if your roots are exposed in this fashion.

Crowns, Veneers or Partial Bridges

While having your teeth whitened when wearing crowns, veneers or partial bridges will not cause you any pain, the whitening process only works on natural teeth. This means that if you have a crown, veneer or partial bridge in your mouth prior to the whitening process, they will no longer match your newly whitened teeth following the procedure. It may be possible to whiten your teeth and then replace crowns, veneers and bridges shortly afterwards to match, although the cost may be prohibitive for some.

Receding Gums

Receding gums can be caused by a number of factors including aggressive brushing or insufficient dental care, and once experienced, can be the cause of damage to the structure of the teeth and even tooth loss. Receding gums can be made worse by whitening the teeth, which makes the procedure ill-advised for anyone with the condition.

Deep Set Staining

While teeth whitening is great for tackling most superficial staining, those with deep set stains may not experience results that meet our exacting standards. For this reason, we recommend other treatments to improve the appearance of the teeth such as porcelain veneers. Of course, each patient is different and the only way to provide you with accurate information is to arrange a personal assessment of your teeth and advise as to your best course of action.

If you are interested in teeth whitening, or any other treatment to improve the appearance of your smile, please feel free to get in touch with our friendly team on 01730 266 350.