Teeth whitening is a simple, safe procedure used to brighten teeth that have been stained by external agents. In general, whitening is good for anyone who’d like to spruce up their smile. However, if you are under 18 or if you are pregnant or nursing, whitening is not recommended.
How Whitening Works
A teeth whitening treatment involves having a special whitening agent applied to your teeth. This can be accomplished in your dentist’s office or at home, depending upon the type of treatment. In the dentist’s office, the whitener sometimes must be activated with a special light. It is left on the teeth for a period of time, then removed. The procedure is usually repeated two or three times.
The whitening agent usually contains hydrogen peroxide, which removes the stains from the tooth surfaces. It is not known if the whitening agents can affect a growing fetus. It is also not known if these strong bleaching substances can be transmitted to a baby through breast milk. For these reasons, your cosmetic dentist will probably recommend that you avoid a teeth whitening treatment while you are pregnant or nursing.
Keeping Your Teeth Stain-Free
If you are concerned about your teeth developing discoloration, the best way to take care of them is to avoid staining agents. These can include:
- Nicotine
- Tea
- Coffee
- Any dark-colored fruits or beverages
Regularly brushing your teeth can remove residue that can eventually cause staining. Ask your cosmetic dentist if it is all right to use a baking soda toothpaste to help with minor discoloration. If you are planning to become pregnant in the near future and are concerned about the way your teeth look, have your teeth whitened now so you can feel good about your smile during your pregnancy.
To find out more about teeth whitening and information about how it can help you and how you can keep your teeth white during your pregnancy, please schedule an appointment with our cosmetic dentist. Call 416-922-1012 today.