TOOTH WHITENING: What you should know

If you want to whiten your teeth, it is most effective and best to do so with a healthy mouth. Cavities, sensitive teeth, cracked teeth, gum disease, or any other type of infection must be diagnosed and treated before any and all types of tooth whitening procedures, whether they are over the counter or professional. The whitening process will aggravate existing problems, or whitening may not work if you are not pre-screened by your dentist and hygienist. Instead of running out to buy the next advertised tooth whitening product, have your teeth examined and cleaned by your dentist and hygienist. Clean teeth are proven to whiten more effectively, and may give you your desired result much sooner. In addition to treating any problems that will complicate whitening, your dentist can tell you what will work. There are many options today, and it can be very confusing. Be careful with tooth-whitening kiosks in malls and salons. One state has already banned them. They are often staffed with people in scrubs or white lab coats who may look like a health care professional, but it is often not the case. Typically they have no health care training and no license to provide health care services. The dangerous part is they are dispensing products that can permanently affect your teeth and gums. Secondly, dental offices are trained in infection control protocol that follows the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines. Guidelines such as glove changing, disinfection of work surfaces, washing your hands properly, and many more infection control guidelines. The bottom line is, as a consumer and patient, we have a choice. Talk with a dentist about the pros and cons of different tooth-whitening procedures, and find out what is right for you. As a society, we desire white, bright teeth. A healthy mouth must come first. Your dentist can give you both. A healthy mouth will contribute positively to your overall health. A whiter, brighter smile will just enhance that. **Source JADA, Vol.140