How to Protect Your Teeth

About Me

How to Protect Your Teeth

My kids are involved in several different sports, including some that are known for being a bit rough, like hockey and football. I worry about them being injured, but I don’t want to curb their athletic spirit. So I take steps to make certain that they’re as protected as possible. That means protecting their teeth, too. My children’s dentist told me that the best way to protect their teeth was to use custom mouth guards that would keep their teeth safe even in the event of a blow to the mouth. I started this blog to talk about different ways to protect teeth – from mouth guards and dental devices you wear while you sleep, to plain old brushing and flossing. There are many ways to protect your teeth depending on your needs. Find out which one is right for you.

Dental Problems That Can Lower Your Candidacy For Tooth Whitening

If you are considering tooth whitening, visiting your dentist for an exam first is a good idea, especially if you are thinking about using an over the counter tooth whitening product. Tooth whitening can cause some dental problems to become worse. By visiting your dentist, you can not only find out more about tooth whitening, but you can learn how to have your dental issues fixed so you have a better chance of enjoying the benefits of greater oral health.

Cavities Can Be Worsened By Tooth Whitening

Cavities can be painful without whitening your teeth. However, if you whiten your teeth, you can cause any cavities you may have to hurt more. If you have your teeth whitened while having cavities, the peroxide solution used to whiten them can make the tooth less durable and cause the nerve to ache. Most dentists will advise you to have cavities filled before attempting any cosmetic procedure because untreated teeth can lead to serious health problems like heart and kidney disease.

Tooth Whitening May Not Be For Those Suffering With Peroxide Allergies

Many people are not aware they are allergic to peroxide. If you have already had your teeth whitened before, whether at home or at your dentist's office, and you developed blisters on your lips and in your mouth, you more than likely had an allergic reaction to peroxide. If you did experience blistering after whitening, be sure to tell your dental professional so you and him or her can make choices about whitening your teeth.

Tooth Whitening May Increase Tooth Sensitivity

Teeth that are sensitive can become more sensitive after tooth whitening. While in most cases, whitening sensitivity is temporary, you should make sure to discuss your tooth sensitivity with your dentist before the whitening procedure. Your dentist may be able to help you avoid the pain of tooth sensitivity after the procedure and long after it. He or she may recommend special toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth or that you take over the counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. However, if your teeth are sensitive because of other dental problems, you will need to have those addressed before whitening can be done.

If You Have Gum Disease

The peroxide used in a tooth whitening procedure can cause diseased gums to become inflamed and painful. Some dental professional will do the whitening procedure while covering up the gums, so discussing with your dentist whether he or she would do this is important. However, if the roots of your teeth are exposed due to gum disease, be advised the whitening agent will not make them whiter or cleaner in appearance.

Caring for your teeth is important for the rest of you to be as healthy as possible. If you want to have your teeth whitened, make sure to have them cared or prior to the procedure for increasing good results. To learn more, speak with a business like Oakwood Family Dentistry.


Share