5 Things to Keep In Mind When Getting Your Teeth Whitened

Unhealthy habits can have a negative impact on your life. The constant struggle of the body to retain energy in a culture of unhealthy habits can eventually take its toll.

When the signs first appear, most people usually ignore them and that further aggravates the issue. Just like the eyes are the windows to one’s soul, your teeth can easily depict the challenges your body is facing.

Lack of oral hygiene can be damaging for your teeth, and since they cannot repair themselves, it’s imperative you take special care of your teeth.

Over time, your pearly whites can get stained. Whether you have a smoking habit or like an occasional cup of tea, you can quickly lose that pearly shine if you don’t take care of your teeth. For many people, the realization comes when the damage has been done.

Common Causes of Tooth Discoloration

The most common reason of tooth discoloration is the consumption of foods and drinks that stain teeth. Tea, coffee, cola and wine are top beverages that cause teeth discoloration. Some foods also have this quality, while smoking, too, contributes towards teeth discoloration.

Other reasons might be the darkening of the inner structure of the tooth. There are several reasons behind this, some of which are described below.

• Too much exposure to fluoride
• Trauma and internal bleeding in a permanent tooth
• Usage of tetracycline antibiotics at 8 years or younger
• Trauma to a baby tooth that affected the development of a permanent tooth
• A rare condition called Dentinogenesis Imperfecta, which causes gray, amber or purple discoloration

As you age, the inner structure of the tooth, Dentin naturally yellows over time. The enamel gets thinner and the dentin becomes visible.

Once the tooth gets stained, there are ways to get it back in its natural state. Since pearly whites are heavily advertised, you just have to pick up a magazine and the cover will be adorned with a celebrity sporting the whitest set of teeth you’ve ever seen. This hype has made teeth whitening one of the largest growing cosmetic procedures, with $11 billion revenue last year.

Unfortunately, the average price for an in-office dental tooth whitening procedure can amount to $600. That’s why ZendyHealth decided to include it in their offered services. Now you, too, can have that pearly smile but at a reasonable cost. You wouldn’t have to break the bank just to get those pearly whites.

Now that the price issue is solved, you would want to avail the cosmetic procedure as soon as you can. However, before you do that, it’s important to know a few things about the teeth whitening procedure. This information will help you better understand the process and bring you up to date on the efficacy of the procedure and options available.

Only Whitens Real Teeth

People with crowns or filings might want to avail the services and get an overall white look. Sadly though, teeth whitening procedures only work for real teeth. The best bet against yellowed and stained fillings is that you get them changed after the teeth whitening procedure.

Sensitivity

Even when the most mild chemicals and techniques are used, teeth whitening can end up making your gums and teeth sensitive. The sensitivity can elevate during the treatment but with the help of sensitivity toothpastes, the issue can be effectively handled. In only rare cases does the sensitivity continue on even after the treatment has been completed.  Overall, sensitivity is a temporary issue in most cases.

Temporary Results but can be Long-Lasting

If you think a teeth whitening procedure will last a lifetime, you’re in for a big surprise. The treatment is designed to provide instant results but like most things in life, it doesn’t last forever. Most treatments provide great results for up to 3 years but after that discoloration can return. This statistic, however, varies from person to person.

If you have a liking for cola, wine or coffee, they can significantly reduce the time your teeth remain white – avoidance as such especially during the first 2 weeks post-treatment can help quite a bit. Also, keeping a mouth guard close by and using it frequently can help prevent stain exposure to the teeth. The nice thing about getting these typically expensive teeth whitening procedures through ZendyHealth is that you can save significantly by using our Pick Your Price tool so you can stretch out your dollars for more sessions if you need to repeat a whitening procedure.

DIY Teeth Whitening Doesn’t Always Work

There’s a rage for teeth whitening home kits. With numerous products available in the market, the dream of getting white teeth finally seems like a reality to many. Unfortunately, these home kits aren’t always effective. Designed to provide instant results, the kits lack one of the most basic necessities of a teeth whitening treatment; a close fitting whitening tray – and often times, the home kits produce results that are far inferior to office treatments performed by a professional. Since only a certified and experienced dentist can make one, these home kits fail to provide the desired results.

In the hands of the user, some of the gels and ingredients of the whitening treatment can be harmful. What dentists learn after years of practice and study, the general public tries to master in a couple of minutes. Needless to say, this can end in a potential disaster as users harm themselves through self medication.

Laser Teeth Whitening and Regular Office Teeth Whitening can be Different Procedures

Many offices have a UV light-based teeth whitening system otherwise known as ‘Laser’ teeth whitening; others have regular trays that are used on patients to whiten stains (similar to home kits but with stronger ingredients).  Laser teeth whitening procedures are known to whiten teeth several shades faster than other methods – so if you have an upcoming event, it might be best to choose the laser teeth whitening option. Regular office-based whitening methods can work just as well but likely require more time.

Pick Your Price and make a cash offer today on teeth whitening to secure deepest savings – or Pick Your Provider near you and Request a Quote.

HSA Eligibility - This procedure is most likely an eligible procedure for your Health Savings Account (HSA) or FSA account.