My wife is beautiful inside and out. I love everything about her. Two years ago, she decided to get her teeth whitened. She went to the dentist and they did this gel and light thing. They also gave her a take-home kit, which she did right away. Every six months she gets new gel from her dentist for a touch-up. This week she just started doing whitening strips between her appointments. I’m worried if she continues this way, she’ll damage her teeth. Do I have cause for concern?
Andy
Dear Andy,
We all love our smiles to be beautiful and white. I understand your concern with what must seem like a teeth bleaching addiction. There are many people whitening their teeth these days. What your wife is doing doesn’t sound like she’s gotten to the point where she is in danger of damaging her tooth enamel.
Let me give you some signs that there’s too much whitening going on so you’ll know what to look for.
When are You Whitening Too Much?
If you want to know what to keep an eye out for. First, her teeth will become more sensitive. She’ll likely tell you when that happens. Second, her teeth will become more translucent. If that happens, she’ll need to slow down.
Without realizing it, she may be sabotaging herself. Whenever she whitens her teeth, the microscopic holes in her teeth open up for a few days. If she is in the habit of drinking beverages such as coffee or tea it will cause her teeth to stain more quickly. Smoking does the same thing.
Consider a Permanent Whitening Alternative
With as much time and money as your wife is spending on teeth whitening. You may want to look into a more permanent solution. Porcelain veneers are a total smile makeover which, when well cared for, can last decades.
These do more than just whiten your teeth. They can change the shape, size, color, and character of your teeth. Just make sure you research the dentist who does the work. First, look at their smile gallery to be certain both of you love the results they get. Not all cosmetic dentists are created equal. Finally, make sure they have some form of beautiful smile guarantee to ensure she’ll get a smile she’ll be proud to shine.
This blog is brought to you by Dr. Stephen Collins.