{"id":47,"date":"2021-12-09T01:20:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-09T01:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.templechoicedental.com\/blog\/?p=47"},"modified":"2022-02-03T01:22:12","modified_gmt":"2022-02-03T01:22:12","slug":"teeth-whitening-with-cavities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.templechoicedental.com\/blog\/2021\/12\/09\/teeth-whitening-with-cavities\/","title":{"rendered":"The Dangers of Teeth Whitening with Cavities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Has your smile been appearing a bit dull as of recently? The good news is that there is a simple way to enhance the natural appearance of your teeth: professional teeth whitening<\/a>. However, it\u2019s crucial that you have excellent oral health before you undergo this cosmetic treatment. Whitening your teeth when you have existing decay can lead to serious and painful dental issues. Read on to learn about the risks and why you should always see your dentist if you are looking to whiten your smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Happens If You Whiten Teeth with Cavities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have cavities, you shouldn\u2019t be using any sort of whitening treatment. The whitening agent that is used in most store-bought whitening treatments contains hydrogen peroxide. While this substance is highly effective at removing stains, it can irritate teeth that are particularly sensitive, even if they are otherwise healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there is a cavity present, when the bleaching agent makes contact with the sensitive inner layers of your tooth, it can cause a significant amount of pain. In some cases, teeth can become permanently damaged, and you will ultimately require emergency care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the end, you should always have your teeth carefully examined by a dentist to ensure that you don\u2019t have existing decay, cracks, or other damage present that could get in the way of the treatment. Minor cavities and cracks can cause little to no symptoms and may not become apparent until after you whiten your teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can Professional Whitening Help to Prevent Oral Health Issues?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether you opt for in-office or take-home professional teeth whitening with your dentist, your smile will be closely examined beforehand to ensure that it is healthy enough to undergo this cosmetic treatment. Any oral health issues will need to be resolved before you can commit to teeth whitening. Once you\u2019re given the green light, here are your options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n