Teeth Whitening: How White is Too White?

When you have decided to begin whitening your teeth you may have a goal shade in mind. However, it can be easy to surpass that goal and whiten further than necessary! Our Delta dentists offer some advice on whitening your teeth without making them too white.

Teeth whitening is one of the most common ways to alter the appearance of your teeth. It is quick and non-invasive and your dentist may be able to help you reach your teeth whitening goals safely.

However, it can also be overdone, resulting in teeth that look artificially white and unnatural.

Many patients simply aren’t sure when they should stop whitening. Generally, the thought is just to make the teeth whiter without being entirely sure of when your teeth are white enough.

How To Know When You Have Done Enough Whitening

To help our patients decide how white they should go, our Delta dentists recommend that they stick to the shade they initially settled on at the outset of treatment. Your dentist will have a shade chart at the office that can help guide your whitening treatment process.

If you’re at home and trying to decide if you’re finished whitening or not, a good rule of thumb is that your teeth should be no whiter than the whites of your eyes. This is a good shade to aim for, as you can be sure it will look natural on you.

Another general rule of thumb is to use your skin tone and complexion. If your skin is on the lighter side then you can go with a whiter shade for your teeth, because your teeth will blend in a little more with the rest of your face without looking out of place or garish.

If you have a darker complexion then we would advise you to avoid the very white end of the spectrum. This is because when you have your teeth whitened the goal is for the end result to look natural – like they haven't been whitened. If you go so far that your teeth look unnaturally white, then you will draw too much of the wrong type of attention.

Side Effects of Teeth Whitening

While teeth whitening is generally safe without the worry of side effects, there is always a chance that you do too much with everything in this world. Here are some of the potential side effects that cold occur with excessive teeth whitening.

• Teeth Sensitivity - Teeth sensitivity is one of the most commonly reported side effects of teeth whitening. This can occur if the patient has weakened enamel or if the whitening is not properly administered. In-office whitening is the best way to minimize the risk of sensitivity during and after treatment as the dental professional can apply the bleaching agent in the safest way possible. Dentists often recommend certain treatments before whitening to reduce the risk of sensitivity. For example, dentists may recommend a patient with dental cavities receive dental fillings before the whitening procedure. 
• Gum Irritation - Gum irritation can occur if the gums are not properly isolated or if the take-home or store-bought kit is not properly applied. Most patients do not experience any issues with gum irritation, particularly when it is performed in the office and administered by a dental professional. 

If you have decided that you have an interest in teeth whitening and would like more information, book an appointment with one of our Delta dentists today!