Tooth decay affects practically everyone, and dental fillings are a frequent way to restore teeth following decay. But what happens if you want to whiten your teeth as well? Does it still work with existing fillings? This article explains how dental fillings affect tooth whitening and what choices are available to you.
Can You Whiten Teeth With Dental Fillings?
The quick answer is that you can sometimes whiten teeth with dental fillings. However, the efficiency of this will be determined by the amount of your natural tooth enamel that remains. If the composite material in the filling covers most or all of your natural tooth, whitening will be impossible.
Because only natural teeth can be whitened, teeth whitening operations can only benefit people who have fillings underneath or behind their front teeth. If they have fillings in the front, the whitening process will have no cosmetic effect on the exposed parts of their teeth.
In brief, teeth whitening is not effective on dental fillings. Those with dental fillings, however, may still benefit aesthetically from teeth whitening if the fillings are not visible on the tooth.
Whitening Options For People With Dental Fillings
If your visible teeth are in good condition (no gaps, chipping, or fillings), you can whiten them. There are various strategies to benefit from a whiter smile, but keep in mind that the outcomes will differ from person to person.
Here are some of the most popular teeth whitening methods for persons with dental fillings:
At-Home Teeth Whitening Kits
Many people prefer to do their teeth whitening at home. These kits include whitening strips or gels that can be simply applied to your teeth at home.
The active element in these products is hydrogen peroxide, which gradually lightens the color of your teeth.
At-home kits come in two types:
- Professional whitening: Your dentist can give you a professional teeth whitening routine, including a custom-fitted mouthguard and professional-grade whitening gel. These kits are more potent than over-the-counter products, so they produce better results in less time.
- Over-the-counter kits: If you do not want to see your dentist, you can buy an over-the-counter teeth whitening kit at any drugstore. These kits often include whitening strips and a lower quantity of hydrogen peroxide, but they are still effective for the majority of people.
Many consumers prefer these procedures to professional whitening since at-home whitening is significantly less expensive.
However, home whitening is also prone to errors because there is no one to instruct you on how to use the strips and whitening gels correctly. As a result, it’s critical to pay great attention to the instructions and guidelines included in each kit.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening is an appealing choice for people who wish to make a significant difference to their smile. This method often requires multiple office visits and uses a higher dosage of hydrogen peroxide to produce faster, more dramatic effects.
In-office teeth whitening is typically more expensive than at-home kits, but it can provide longer-lasting benefits. Furthermore, because a professional will be monitoring the treatment and offering supervision throughout, you are less likely to have any negative side effects.
Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Teeth whitening toothpaste is another popular choice for persons who have dental fillings. These toothpastes feature abrasive particles that help remove surface stains and make your teeth appear brighter. However, they will not significantly alter the color of your teeth as professional whitening operations or at-home kits can.
When using whitening toothpaste, remember to use it for no more than 4-6 weeks. According to some studies, using teeth whitening toothpaste for too long or incorrectly can cause enamel erosion.
Natural Teeth Whitening Procedures
There are a few natural ways to whiten your teeth. Listed below are some of the most popular:
- Brushing with baking soda or hydrogen peroxide twice per day.
- Oil pulling is swishing a spoonful of oil in your mouth for 20 minutes.
- Avoid staining foods, such as coffee and tea.
- Drinking plenty of water to clean out any bacteria or dirt in your mouth.
- Using turmeric, which serves as a natural bleaching agent
Some natural teeth whitening methods, such as baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, have been extensively examined and shown to be both safe and effective. However, the majority of alternative approaches rely on anecdotal evidence, so do your study before trying anything new.
