The Cosmetic and Health Benefits of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening isn’t just for aesthetic purposes anymore. Did you know it can actually have oral health benefits? While many patients come to our offices to receive safe and fast teeth whitening to make their smiles brighter and give themselves a great boost of confidence, many don’t realize that they are also helping control the pH level of their mouth. This is an important factor when it comes to controlling plaque, bacteria, and tooth decay.

The cosmetic benefits of teeth whitening are quite simple. Over time, even those with the most strict oral health practices can notice a change of color in their teeth. This comes from years of eating, drinking, and often smoking. Many common foods can drastically change the color to your teeth from a gleaming white, to a subtle off-white, yellow. Coffee, wine, tea, berries, pasta sauces, and cigarettes, and many more foods can discolor your teeth.
While you can prevent your teeth from becoming overly discolored by consistent oral hygiene, including brushing and mouthwash, discoloration can still occur. Whether you’re an actor, model, salesman, consultant, or just conscious of your looks, many professionals find it important to have a presentable, white smile. For this, many want to take advantage of teeth whitening products. The benefits of teeth whitening include a whiter, more confident smile. Many find discolored teeth an embarrassment and look to teeth whitening for a way of helping raise their self-esteem and give them that extra confidence to say hello to the beautiful woman standing at the other side of the cafe, or meeting their fiancé’s parents for the first time. A smile is a powerful tool.
Recently, research has observed that teeth whitening holds health benefits as well as cosmetic. The most effective teeth whitening products use a peroxide-based solution to whiten the teeth. These solutions can effectively remove plaque as well as control the pH level of the mouth.
The pH level of your mouth controls the environment of your mouth and can change a healthy mouth into a breeding ground for bacteria. When we eat or drink foods that are high in acidity, coffee, wine, citric fruits, etc, the pH level of our mouth becomes highly acidic. When the pH level of your mouth is too low, enamel begins to break down and bacteria can flourish.
When teeth whitening with peroxide-based solutions, an important byproduct known as urea can help control the pH level of the mouth. While a highly acidic mouth will have a pH level between 5.5 and 6.5, a more neutral level should rest around 7 and 8. Urea helps reduce plaque and prevent tooth decay by neutralizing the pH level of your mouth.  This is just one more reason to consider teeth whitening as not only a cosmetic benefit, but a health benefit as well.
When considering teeth whitening, look for products that are peroxide-based. Or, for the most effective teeth-whitening techniques, contact Water Tower Dental. We offer several methods to help whiten your teeth in due time. Whether it’s our Zoom! Whitening technique done in our office or the at-home kit that offers a personalized and private experience, you’ll find your teeth whiter and healthier within weeks. Contact us today, we’re happy to help!