What You Should Know Before You Whiten Your Teeth

If you have stained or yellowed teeth, Dr. Elhameh Allamehzadeh may recommend teeth whitening in San Diego, California. However, it is important to note that not everyone is a candidate for teeth whitening. Before you undergo teeth whitening treatment, it is important that you consider certain factors.

Age & Pregnancy
Teeth whitening is not recommended for those under the age of 16. The pulp chamber of the tooth is enlarged until 16, and teeth whitening could irritate the pulp. Our dentist also does not recommend teeth whitening for those who are pregnant or lactating.

Sensitive Teeth and Allergies
If you have sensitive teeth, sensitive gums, or receding gums, it is important that you consult Dr. Elhameh Allamehzadeh before whitening your teeth. In addition, those who are allergic to peroxide should not use a whitening product, as peroxide is the whitening agent.

Darkly Stained Teeth
Yellowed teeth respond well to whitening products. However, brownish teeth do not respond as well and grayish or purplish teeth respond the least. Talk to our dentist about other options to improve the appearance of your smile if you have darkly stained teeth.

Inflamed gums
Teeth whitening can cause some gum discomfort. If your gums are inflamed, the process will be much more uncomfortable, especially in the days after you whiten your teeth. If your gums are healthy, they will be less prone to irritation.

Dental Restorations
Dental restorations like tooth-colored fillings, crowns, bridges, and veneers do not react to the whitening product. As a result, any whitening done to a smile with restorations will result in uneven whitening—the teeth without dental restorations will appear lighter than those with restorations.

We welcome you to contact our dental office at 619-542-1800 today for more information about teeth whitening and to schedule a consultation.