You might think that teeth whitening is a fairly straightforward affair. Of course it can be, but this is not always the case. Everyone's teeth are different, and so it's a good idea to speak with your dentist before you begin any kind of whitening treatment. You might not necessarily want to have the procedure performed by your dentist, but you should certainly listen to their recommendations when it comes to your options for at-home whitening.

Consulting your dentist will also help you to overcome some of the perils of tooth whitening. But now that you've made the decision to have your teeth whitened, what are some of these mistakes you need to avoid?

1. Groceries, Clothes, Dental Treatment?

There are a number of shopping centre kiosks that will offer on-the-spot whitening. This usually involves having the teeth painted with a hydrogen peroxide solution, followed by a laser treatment to activate the active ingredients in the solution. While the operators of these systems are qualified, they're not dentists.

They don't know your dental history and will not be able to account for issues such as gingivitis. If you should experience any discomfort as a result of these instant whitening treatments, you're essentially on your own. It's best to keep the shopping centre for actual shopping, instead of sensitive dental procedures.

2. Are Your Teeth Totally Natural?

While all teeth might be created equal, they don't always end up that way. Any kind of cosmetic improvement to your teeth (such as a crown, veneers, or invisible dental fillings) has permanently altered your smile.

These cosmetic additions to your mouth are generally made from a wafer thin ceramic alloy, and are of a totally different composition to natural teeth (even though they look completely natural). Using an at-home teeth whitening kit means that your natural teeth can end up a different shade to your cosmetic dental work. Your dentist will be able to to advise you on how to whiten your natural teeth without affecting any cosmetic additions.

3. After Whitening

Remember that maintenance is easier than overhaul and that you should do your part to keep your teeth white after the procedure. Rinse your mouth with water after consuming beverages such as red wine, tea or coffee - all of which can discolour your teeth. Brush with a whitening toothpaste, and there are a vast number to choose from.

If you're not able to use a whitening toothpaste due to dental sensitivity, you can easily brush your teeth using a baking soda solution. Now is also the perfect time to stop smoking, since that nasty nicotine is notorious for staining teeth.

By taking a few precautions to make sure that you use the best whitening solution for you, there's no reason why you can't have a beautiful white smile. Just make sure you look after your teeth after the procedure too! Contact a company such as Identity Dentistry to learn more.