With this selfie generation, having white teeth is needed more than ever. But more often than not, teeth whitening mistakes are encountered because of shortcut measures. That’s not good because our set of permanent teeth are the only ones we got. Here are some of the teeth whitening mistakes to avoid in order to keep our pearly whites (and mouth) healthy.

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Avoid These Six Teeth Whitening Mistakes

Have you ever tried teeth whitening? If you plan to try it soon, there are numerous mistakes to avoid in the process. In spite of the huge availability of teeth-whitening products, consulting a dentist is always recommended beforehand. However, not many people consider these consultations valuable and decide to skip them.

Plenty of individuals fail to read the product instructions or refuse to follow the after-care tips. Thus, they do not get the desired results. Teeth whitening requires a comprehensive analysis of multiple factors, such as one’s dental health, gums, and teeth sensitivity, lifestyle, eating habits, etc.

These are the six most common mistakes to avoid in the journey towards whiter teeth.

Not consulting the dentist

One of the most usual mistakes people make when deciding to try teeth whitening is not consulting their dentists. Scheduling an appointment is necessary for dentists to determine whether patients are good candidates for the bleaching procedure. Some individuals consider consulting the dentist unnecessary when using over-the-counter whitening products. Nevertheless, a consultation is beneficial both when undergoing professional whitening and using bleaching products purchased online.

In order for a person to be a suitable candidate for such a procedure, he/she is supposed to have no cavities or other dental problems. A dentist will inspect your mouth for potential issues and suggest proper treatment if necessary. Also, he/she will assess the severity of the stains to see whether the product you plan to plan to use will lighten your teeth as planned. Go to the following link, https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Teeth-Whitening-Strips, to check how to use whitening strips.

Moreover, dentists not only suggest the best teeth-whitening products but also have some of them available in their dental offices. For instance, they advise their patients to use custom mouth trays instead of one size fits all trays to prevent the bleach from reaching the gums. When bleach travels from the teeth to the gums, the latter are highly likely to get irritated.

Some patients, on the other hand, might be completely discouraged from using teeth-whitening products due to the severity of their stains. In such scenarios, dentists prevent individuals from wasting money on ineffective products. Instead, they should invest in a professional bleaching treatment. Therefore, make sure not to skip the appointment with your dentist for the sake of your dental health and your pocket.

Not trying natural methods

Another common teeth-whitening mistake individuals make is avoiding natural whitening methods before scheduling a bleaching treatment. Most people are distrustful of natural remedies without even testing their effectiveness.  Nevertheless, make sure you give several methods a try before calling your dentist.

For example, start by changing your oral hygiene habits and practice both brushing and flossing on a daily basis. While brushing removes moderate stains from the enamel, flossing gets rid of the particles that get stuck between the teeth. Unless removed regularly, food particles are capable of forming plaque, which makes the teeth look much darker.

Additionally, one is supposed to be careful when consuming staining ingredients such as berries, beets, wine, pomegranate, etc. It’s important to rinse your mouth after eating such foods, as well as brush your teeth after half an hour. Instead of using your regular toothpaste, why not a handmade one made with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda?

Not following the package instructions

Not following the instructions provided on the package of teeth-whitening products is one of the biggest mistakes people make. Each product comes with specific instructions in terms of how long the gel should be left on the teeth.

When purchasing an at home teeth whitening kit on Amazon, pay close attention to the product description and instructions. Sparing a few minutes to read the recommendations of the manufacturer will save you from gum irritation.

In addition, many people make the mistake of leaving the whitening strips and gels for too long, disregarding package instructions altogether. Bear in mind that leaving the bleaching agent longer than necessary won’t result in whiter teeth. Instead, you get irritated gums. The use of hydrogen peroxide in most products is responsible for causing gum soreness.

Not following after-care instructions

A large number of people forget about after-care instructions the minute they stop using teeth-whitening products or leave the dental clinic. Nevertheless, adhering to the after-care tips is essential for getting the results you hope for. For instance, one is expected to avoid coffee, soda, energy drinks, and other acidic beverages at least for a few hours after treatment.

Furthermore, individuals should refrain from smoking for at least a day, as well as consume pigmented foods. For example, you can eat boiled potatoes, chicken, or rice on the day of the treatment. Also, drink dairy beverages such as milk and yogurt. These lack the acidic effect of other drinks.

Whitening your teeth too often

Desperate to experience quick results, some individuals whiten their smiles incredibly often. On the contrary, applying too much bleach is considered harmful to the enamel and the gums.

Consulting your dentist about the frequency of these treatments is the wisest idea. When using teeth-whitening products, make sure to read the instructions. These clearly emphasize the timeframe between treatments.

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The bottom line

Make sure to avoid the above-mentioned mistakes.

Have a talk with your dentist, listen to his or her advice, and follow the after-care instructions!

• Related: How To Effectively Remove White Spots On Your Teeth