Pros and Cons Associated with Teeth Whitening

Even treatments that are perceived to be very low-risk should be researched to some extent, before you decide to go ahead – it can save you time, effort, and money, in the long-run. It’s easy to see why so many people in the UK want to have their teeth whitened, but you might be surprised how many of those are willing to book themselves in at their local beauty salon for the procedure, without even checking their credentials or taking a look around the premises first. Despite the fact that teeth whitening is well-known for its low risk factor, it does have some negative aspects, much like every other type of cosmetic enhancement, however non-invasive they are. Let’s take a look at the benefits of teeth whitening, and also consider the disadvantages associated with it– having accurate information can help you to decide if you are suited to this type of treatment or if you should look at the alternatives.

What are the pros of teeth whitening?

It improves your appearance – Without a doubt, this is what everyone who whitens their teeth is looking for; a white, natural-looking smile that makes them look great and feel more confident. Some people might be able to look past their less-than-perfect teeth, but most people who have dental staining will admit they prefer not to speak or smile in social situations, because they don’t want everyone to see their discoloured enamel. A beautifully white smile is associated with health and vitality, something which is coveted in today’s image-conscious society, and a tooth bleaching treatment is a quick, easy way to achieve that goal.

It makes you look younger – As well as improving your overall appearance, teeth whitening can take years off you, by distracting from facial lines and skin imperfections, and making them look reduced, as the lighter tone contrasts with the natural shade of the skin.

It’s cheaper than other methods – Not only is teeth whitening quick and effective, it’s also much cheaper than alternative techniques, such as dental implants or porcelain veneers. Furthermore, it gets to the root of the problem, rather than just covering it up with synthetic shells, which allows you to keep your natural teeth.

It’s less invasive than some restorations – Teeth whitening has no surgical element to it, there are no needles, scalpels, or stitches involved, and there is a minimal recovery period of less than day – for most patients. Fitting veneers often requires a lot of re-structuring of the teeth, so that they can fit comfortably over the top, and implants have to be inserted directly into the jawbone, but gently bleaching the teeth avoids these issues altogether, as well as some of the complications that can come along with them.

What are the cons of teeth whitening?

It has some side effects – Although none of them are particularly harmful, you do need to be aware of the potential side effects associated with this type of treatment. Sore and tender gums are quite common, but shouldn’t be too painful and this symptom is not life-threatening in any way; it’s also worth noting that gum inflammation and minor burning tend to be more of a problem with home whitening kits, rather than professional treatments, due to the fact that DIY kits don’t contain surgical-grade bleaching gel, which has a high viscous level and doesn’t slide off the teeth as easily. You may also experience heightened sensitivity in your teeth, when you eat or drink something of an extreme temperature; this should disappear after a few hours, and shouldn’t prevent you from going about your daily routine.

It can still be expensive – Even at the lower end of the price range, teeth whitening can still be a costly procedure, with some clinics charging three or four hundred pounds per session, although this varies greatly from place to place, and depends on how prominent their name is in the dental industry. There are some providers who can offer whitening at a cheaper price, but don’t assume that you will get the same level of service or high-quality results from all surgeries, you need to do your homework before approaching a clinic, you don’t want to waste your money on shoddy treatment. Also, try to book with a dental surgery, rather than a beauty salon, they might charge a little more, but you really get what you pay for, and you can be sure that they are certified and fully-trained to work in a surgical environment. Don’t be tempted by money-off incentives or discount vouchers, they are usually a desperate attempt to get customers through the door, ask yourself why they need to garner so much publicity, it might be that they are new to the area, but it could also be that they are losing customers through low-quality service.

For the very best in service and treatments, make an appointment with the Pearl Dental Clinic, they employ only fully-qualified, experienced staff, who can prove they have the necessary training to perform teeth whitening procedures and countless other restorative treatments that are available.

It might not be successful with everyone – It can be disheartening to come away from a clinic with disappointing results, and unfortunately, that’s a possibility with teeth whitening – albeit a very small one. A tiny percentage of the people who go for their teeth bleaching won’t see the brilliant affects they were hoping for, but before you blame badly-trained staff or useless equipment, you have to consider that everyone is different, we won’t all react to the whitening gel in the same way, which means there are some patients who will notice a darkening of the enamel after the initial treatment. If there is heavy staining, it may be that a follow-up session is required, as it can sometimes take more than an hour to break down the dark molecules, but if the problem is more permanent, it may help to take alternative solutions into consideration, such as dental veneers or Snap-On smiles.