I like to whiten my teeth. I do it every year. My sister-in-law says if I continue doing that every year it will damage my teeth. Is that true?
Kandace O.
Dear Kandace,
Once a year is no big deal when it comes to teeth whitening. Some people, who are heavy coffee drinkers, will even do touch-ups every month. That being said, you should only need a touch-up. You shouldn’t need to do a full round of in-office whitening, such as Zoom.
Most dentists provide their patients with teeth whitening trays for touch-ups. If your dentist didn’t, you can ask him to. Then, you’ll just need to purchase a tube of gel and you are good to go. Not only will that keep your teeth shining, but it’s more affordable than the in-office alternative.
How Much is Too Much Teeth Whitening?
Let’s say you decide to whiten more often, though. How will you know how much is too much? There are some warning signs. If you notice your teeth growing more translucent or becoming sensitive, that would be a red flag. In all honesty, excessive whitening tends to work against you.
When you whiten, the microscopic pores in your teeth open up a little bit. It takes them a couple of days to completely close, so if you drink a lot of staining beverages, such as coffee, tea, or colas, it can make your teeth stain more quickly.
If you find you have to whiten a lot. You may consider getting porcelain veneers. They’re more stain resistant than your natural teeth. If you keep up well with your oral hygiene, they should stay stain resistant for their lifetime. Not to mention veneers can totally remake your smile, including their shape, color and size simultaneously.
This blog is brought to you by Michigan Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.