Teeth Whitening: The FAQ You Need To Know

Few dental procedures have ever reached the popularity of teeth whitening in the United States. While the color of your teeth has very little to do with your overall oral health, it has everything to do with your appearance. And people are more concerned with appearances nowadays than ever before. In an age where Facebook is everything and few people walk around without a high-resolution camera in their pocket, people naturally want to look their best for every photograph. Having a gleaming, white smile can go a long way in that department. Here are some of the most important questions and answers you need to know about the process.

Will Dental Insurance Pay For The Procedure?
In almost no cases will dental insurance pay for teeth whitening, whether it is done through a dentist or with home products. Insurance companies view this procedure as completely elective and understand that it has little to do with a patient's oral health. Because insurance plans are in place to see that patients aren't unable to get the care they need when emergencies and serious health issues strike, there is nothing compelling them to pay for something that is, in many ways, akin to plastic surgery.

How Long Does It Last?
Before you embark on a teeth whitening process, you should understand that the effects are not intended to last forever. Depending on which process you use, the results may begin to fade in as little as a month or two. That doesn't mean you'll be back to square one in that time frame, but it is a process you'll need to touch up every so often if you want the results to continue. Naturally, if you are able to avoid staining foods, tobacco, and other enemies of white teeth during this time, you'll be able to get longer lasting results from the procedure.

Is Damage Done To the Enamel?
A concern of many who want to have teeth whitening done is whether or not they are doing damage to their enamel. For a long time, dental experts warned that this, indeed, was what was happening and that the wise patient would have nothing to do with special whitening products. The majority of the dental establishment no longer believes this. Most over the counter products use a solution of carbamide peroxide, which has not been shown to have any significant effect on the enamel.

As with any dental procedure, the facts about teeth whitening are best answered by your dentist. Make an appointment and discuss your concerns with a health professional that has direct access to your oral health history and can make recommendations based on your specific case.