{"id":15,"date":"2021-09-17T00:18:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-17T00:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.baldwinfamilydental.com\/blog\/?p=15"},"modified":"2021-10-07T00:20:49","modified_gmt":"2021-10-07T00:20:49","slug":"teeth-whitening-with-cavities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.baldwinfamilydental.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/17\/teeth-whitening-with-cavities\/","title":{"rendered":"The Dangerous Combination of Teeth Whitening and Cavities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Has your smile been looking somewhat dull recently? Fortunately, there\u2019s a simple way that you can brighten up your pearly whites to improve the appearance of your teeth: professional teeth whitening<\/a>. However, it is crucial that you have excellent oral health before you can opt for this cosmetic dental treatment. Whitening your teeth with cavities can lead to serious dental problems. Continue reading to learn about potential risks and why you should always see your dentist for teeth whitening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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

If you have cavities, you shouldn\u2019t be using any whitening kits. The whitening agent that\u2019s used in most store-bought whitening treatments contains hydrogen peroxide. While it\u2019s effective at removing stains, it can irritate teeth that are particularly sensitive, even if they are otherwise healthy. 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, the teeth can become permanently damaged, and you will require emergency dental care. Ultimately, you should always have your teeth carefully examined by a dentist to ensure that you don\u2019t have any 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 Professional Teeth Whitening Can Help to Prevent Dental 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. Here\u2019s how each treatment works:<\/p>\n\n\n\n