Who are the Poor Candidates for Teeth Whitening?

Are you looking to eliminate the discolorations that make your smile less-than-stellar? Although most patients make good candidates for teeth whitening in Lake Worth, others don’t. Before you do anything to brighten your teeth, it’s best to find out whether you are, or are not, a good candidate for this treatment.

Poor Candidates for Teeth Whitening

Patients Under 16 Years of Age

If you’re under the age of 16, the pulp chambers in your teeth are larger than those of an adult. Unfortunately, the bleaching agents found in teeth whitening treatments will cause considerable damage to a child’s tooth enamel and increase tooth sensitivity.

Pregnant Women

No current studies show that teeth whitening treatments during pregnancy are unsafe. However, no published studies guarantee the safety of unborn children whose mothers undergo teeth whitening treatments.

Since oral health complications are usually present during pregnancy, most dental professionals don’t recommend teeth whitening for pregnant women.

Patients with Allergies and Sensitivities

In most cases, tooth sensitivity can result from gingivitis, receding gums, or cracked teeth. These conditions can make teeth whitening treatments a little more complicated. For this reason, it’s best to consult your dental care provider before using any tooth whitening system.

Moreover, whitening systems contain the active ingredient called peroxide. If you’re allergic to this whitening agent, you wouldn’t be a good candidate for teeth whitening.

Patients with Multiple Dental Restorations

Since dental restorations don’t respond to bleaching agents, teeth whitening may not be a viable option for patients with multiple fillings, dental veneers, crowns, and other inorganic materials in their mouths.

For this reason, it’s best to have your teeth whitened before having your dental restorations done. Otherwise, the shade of your natural teeth and restored teeth won’t match after the procedure.

Considering Teeth Whitening in Lake Worth?

Dr. Miguel Ferrer, DDS, can help you determine if you’ll make a good candidate for teeth whitening. Contact our office today to make an appointment.