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does teeth whitening cause cavities?

Posted on by writeradmin.

I’ve been doing teeth whitening off and on for most of my adult life. I take a lot of pride in my appearance and having a bright smile is important to me. Nobody ever said that it could damage my smile. To be fair, I don’t get a lot of cavities, but my teeth are more sensitive these days and I hear that’s a warning sign. Since I started reading up on it, I’ve stopped using whitening toothpastes and do not plan to use the system I got from my dentist anymore, but I’m worried I’ve caused irreversible damage. If it has caused damage, is there anything I can do to reduce the risk?

Sincerely,

Thad

Dear Thad,

custom-fitted teeth whitening trays

It sounds like you got a mix of inaccurate information and half-truths. Let’s break down what healthy teeth are like, how cavities form, and how teeth whitening products work.

Your Enamel is Strong and Packed with Minerals

Your enamel is the hardest substance in your body and it protects the under layers of your teeth. However, the enamel shouldn’t be thought of as unchangeable or impermeable. For example, people who brush really hard or grind their teeth can wear it down over time. Plus, acid can cause the minerals to seep out of your teeth which leaves them susceptible to decay. And, believe it or not, your teeth are actually porous as well. Your tubuals, which provide a pathway from the outside of your tooth to the inside, are typically closed shut though.

Under Optimal Circumstances, Your Teeth Will Remineralize

Bacteria and the things you put in your mouth, including food and dental products, can change your oral pH, and once you have an acidic mouth, teeth demineralize. The opposite is true as well. If you can restore pH and have healthy minerals in your saliva, your teeth will pick them up. This in mind, if you constantly create an acidic environment and never give your teeth a chance to remineralize, you will have weak spots in the enamel and decay can set in. This is why fluoride is such a huge thing. It can strengthen teeth even if they aren’t given the ideal remineralization environment.

Teeth Whitening Products are NOT Inherently Dangerous

Products designed to whiten your smile are not the enemy, but they do come with some side-effects, depending on what you’re using.

Acidic Products: Generally speaking, teeth whitening products are acidic, but not all are. That’s a worry if you constantly use one that is lower than a 7.0 pH and never get your mouth back to the neutral state or aren’t using fluoride to help remineralize. Chances are, however, you’re using a fluoride toothpaste. Unless you’ve actively looked for one that isn’t, it’s standard practice to include it. You may also struggle with this more if you aren’t a great brusher or delight in acidic or sugary foods, such as coffee, sports drinks, citrus fruits, and sodas. (The bacteria which causes decay noshes on carbohydrates and releases acids as a byproduct, which is why sugars contribute too.)

Abrasive Products: Many toothpastes lift surface stains with their abrasiveness. If you’re using a whitening toothpaste, there is some chance it’s abrasive and wearing down the enamel. As the enamel thins, you’ll have more sensitivity and may be more susceptible to decay. It also tends to sabotage your efforts. Many of them work by their abrasiveness removing the surface stains. Unfortunately, that also means they’re scratching your enamel which makes it easier to pick up more stains.

Professional Products: Professional-grade teeth whitening systems don’t just scrub off surface stains. They open the tubuals and oxidize from within, eliminating stains below the surface. The change is not permanent; the tubuals typically close up within a day or two. That’s why you’re told to avoid highly-staining foods and beverages altogether after treatment for a few days. Once they close back up, it’s business as usual. However, during those couple of days, you may experience some sensitivity. It doesn’t mean you’re more susceptible to decay though.

Fluoride Will Help

You don’t have to give up teeth whitening. However, you should take the sensitivity as a warning sign. Mention it to your dentist, so he can see if you’re already dealing with a cavity or have enamel erosion. If there’s no decay, fluoride, either provided in-office or via an over-the-counter gel or mouthwash, should help with any demineralization and sensitivity as well.

This blog is sponsored by New Orleans Dentist Dr. Duane Delaune.

Did the emergency dentist blow off a possible infection in my tooth?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I’m completely put off by the emergency dentist I just saw. I’m partially to blame for the situation I’m in because I’ve blown off getting a filling for about a year on one particular tooth. When I called, I told them about that tooth, but also explained to them that I thought the tooth next to that one also needed a filling. I was assuming they would schedule enough time for the dentist to take care of both. It was one of the last appointments of the day, and when I finally got in the chair, he basically took a few minutes to look in my mouth and proceeded to tell me I needed a filling – but only on the tooth next to the one I already had a cavity in. I questioned him on it and he changed his tune and said I did need two fillings, and that I’d have to come back to have them done. Seriously? I am in pain and now I have to wait even longer! What’s the point of seeing an emergency dentist? It feels like this guy just wanted to get out of there so he hurried me along. He looked at my teeth so fast that now I am wondering if he missed an infection or something more serious. — Jackie

Jackie,
Here’s the thing about cavities… they can be very painful depending on how deep they are in the tooth. It doesn’t always mean there is an infection or a need for a root canal (which is usually pretty obvious had you had a full-blown exam and x-rays).

Dentists perform “tests” to try and figure out what tooth/teeth are bothering you so they can offer the best diagnosis and treatment plan. Teeth often refer pain to neighboring ones and even a cracked tooth can cause a lot of pain. Sometimes things can be missed even if there are x-rays.

It is strange that your dentist missed the second cavity until you called him out on it. It’s understandable that you felt hurried along or maybe even misdiagnosed. Get the fillings done as soon as you can – and maybe find another dentist to do it. Dentists don’t always schedule time for the actual work to be done – especially if they haven’t done a thorough exam. It’s simply too difficult to know the exact course of treatment or how long it will take. If you try a different dentist, be sure to let them know your diagnosis and recommended treatment from the emergency dentist at the time you make the appointment. This should help the office in determining if the dentist can set aside the extra time to do the fillings in addition to the initial exam.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.