Who May Benefit From Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is probably the most common procedure in cosmetic dentistry. As a person ages, teeth begin to lose their natural color, shine and luster in most cases. This happens because teeth are almost constantly exposed to an external environment that includes pollutants and bacteria, and even the food that we eat may include impurities, artificial colors, or chemical contents.

The natural whiteness and brightness of teeth makes a person appear more aesthetically pleasing. It gives a beautiful smile that everyone around is bound to appreciate. Therefore, almost all of us wish for beautiful, white and sparkling set of teeth. This is where the teeth whitening process comes in. This process can help us to improve the whiteness and shine of the teeth. It is a very safe procedure, if performed with due care and as per instructions. It is non-invasive and does not have any ill side-effects for the user.

Due to these benefits, almost anyone who has mild, moderate or severe problem of tooth discoloration or staining is a good candidate for teeth whitening. Small children should avoid this procedure because in most cases their teeth may not require bleaching at that age. Beyond that, tooth whitening is a great procedure for anyone in any age group, as long as they have a reasonably healthy set of teeth.

However, there are a few exceptions to the rule as well. People who have high tooth sensitivity due to any reason, ought to avoid teeth whitening. If it is aggravating the sensitivity, the user must immediately stop the process of teeth whitening. Persons who are wearing braces may also have to avoid teeth whitening procedure till the time their braces are on.

Another limitation of teeth whitening is that it may not be suitable for people who are wearing a few crowns or dental veneers, particularly in the front teeth that are more visible. If tooth whitening is performed on such patients, it may create a different color for the natural teeth, and a different one for the teeth covered with crowns or veneers. That may be an aesthetically awkward condition for the patient.

People who suffer from very stubborn stains or marks on the teeth that may have been caused by excessive smoking, or some other reason, may also not be the right candidates for teeth whitening. Such hard stains may not improve with teeth whitening treatment, so the patient may have to opt for veneers as an effective alternative.

But barring these few exceptions, almost anyone is a good candidate for teeth whitening procedures, as long as they have a real need to improve the color and brightness of their teeth.