Understanding Teeth Whitening Candidacy: Who Qualifies?
Are you curious about whether you’re a suitable candidate for teeth whitening to address discolored teeth? Understanding your candidacy for teeth whitening treatments is an essential first step towards achieving a brighter, more radiant smile. At Cohen Dentistry, our Harris, NY dentist, Dr. Ari Cohen is dedicated to helping our patients determine the most effective and safe teeth whitening options based on their individual needs and oral health.
Contact our Harris, NY dental office today by calling (845) 794-4545 to determine if you’re a candidate for teeth whitening.
Tooth Whitening Candidacy Factors
Health Requirements
Before undergoing any dental procedure, including professional teeth whitening, it’s essential to ensure that you’re in good oral health. Conditions such as periodontal disease can also disqualify you from undergoing a teeth whitening procedure. You won’t qualify if you have any underlying dental problems such as gum disease, cavities, or exposed tooth roots. These issues can cause tooth sensitivity and pain during and after the whitening process. Your dentist will examine your teeth and gums before recommending professional teeth whitening.
Age Restrictions
Professional teeth whitening is generally recommended for individuals who are 18 years and older. This is because the enamel on the teeth of children and teenagers is still developing and can be more sensitive to the whitening agents used during the procedure. Additionally, professional teeth whitening isn’t suitable for baby teeth.
If your child has discoloration, it indicates a more severe issue. Rather than covering up the problem, we recommend parents take their children to the dentist to discover the root cause and treat it.
Pregnancy
We don’t recommend this treatment if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Pregnancy causes oral health changes to the point that receiving the treatment seems impractical or complicates the process. Although there’s no evidence that professional teeth whitening is harmful during pregnancy, it’s best to be cautious and wait until after giving birth or finishing breastfeeding.
Extensive Dental Work
If you have dental restorations such as veneers, crowns, or bridges, you may not be a suitable candidate for professional teeth whitening. The whitening agents used in the procedure are designed to work on natural teeth and will not affect the color of dental restorations. The whitening agents used in the procedure won’t whiten dental restorations. This is because dental restorations are immune to staining. If you have these restorations, your dentist will recommend other options to improve the appearance of your smile.
If you’re planning to receive dental restorations, we recommend that you whiten your teeth so your dentist can match the color of your restoration.
Other Considerations
- Tooth Sensitivity: If you have sensitive teeth, a whitening procedure may not be suitable for you. The whitening agents used in the procedure can cause sensitivity and pain in individuals with sensitive teeth.
- Severe Health Problems: If you have severe health problems such as oral cancer or gum disease, a whitening procedure may not be recommended. It’s essential to discuss any underlying health conditions with your dentist before undergoing any dental procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Teeth that have undergone root canals can be whitened, but the results may not be as long-lasting. The lack of a living nerve pulp means teeth with root canals can discolor faster over time.
No, if you currently have gum diseases like gingivitis or periodontitis, a teeth whitening treatment isn’t recommended until the gum disease is treated. The whitening agents can further irritate inflamed gums.
You can still qualify for professional whitening if you have amalgam or metal fillings. However, be aware that these fillings will not change color to match your newly whitened teeth.
Get a Brighter, More Confident Smile with Custom Teeth Whitening at Cohen Dentistry!
Determining your suitability for a whitening treatment is an important step towards achieving a more confident smile. At Cohen Dentistry, our experienced team can assess your candidacy and provide personalized recommendations to help you achieve your desired results. Contact Cohen Dentistry today by calling to schedule a consultation by calling (845) 794-4545 to take the first step towards a more radiant smile.