It’s no secret that having white teeth is important to a high percentage of the country — in fact, Americans spend $1.4 billion on teeth whitening products every year. But what many people don’t know is that unless you’re having your teeth whitened by a qualified dental professional, it’s easy to make mistakes. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when whitening your teeth.
- Using Too Much Whitening Toothpaste:
These days, many brands of toothpaste claim to have a whitening effect. While it may seem logical to use it every day, using whitening toothpaste too often — even every day — can be too abrasive for many people’s teeth to handle, and it can damage and wear them down as a result. If you’re wondering whether or not your toothpaste could hurt your teeth to use everyday, look for an ingredient called silica listed on the label — it’s known to remove the surface enamel of the teeth when used in excess.
- Using Too Much Whitening Toothpaste:
- Always Shopping Online:
There’s no dispute that online shopping is a great way to get major discounts on popular brand name products, but that doesn’t mean you should use it to buy anything and everything. Buying products to whiten your teeth online can be risky because it could contain ingredients not licensed for use in the United States. To make sure the product you’re buying is safe, check the label and look for an FDA stamp of approval. It’s also a good idea to ask for recommendations from your dentist.
- Always Shopping Online:
- Not Preparing Properly:
Finally, another major mistake people commonly make when whitening their teeth is forgetting or neglecting the preparation that’s involved. Whether you’re using whitening strips or a different method, try to prepare for a teeth whitening procedure like a typical dental cleaning — always brush and floss first.
Ultimately, these are just a few mistakes to avoid when whitening your teeth. However, it’s important to know that visiting a qualified dentist and undergoing a professional whitening procedure is the best way to achieve the perfect results. For more information about tooth whitening procedures, contact Murfreesboro Family Dentistry.
