{"id":317,"date":"2025-02-13T22:15:09","date_gmt":"2025-02-13T22:15:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bricedental.com\/blog\/?p=317"},"modified":"2025-03-31T22:16:31","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T22:16:31","slug":"are-whiter-teeth-always-healthier-the-answer-may-shock-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bricedental.com\/blog\/are-whiter-teeth-always-healthier-the-answer-may-shock-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Whiter Teeth Always Healthier? The Answer May Shock You"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Throughout history, many cultures across the world have associated a white smile with health, wealth, youth, and status. While it\u2019s understandable that people have resorted to a wide range of teeth whitening methods, some of these treatments are far safer and more effective than others. Here\u2019s a brief guide to a few teeth brightening techniques to avoid as well as why professional whitening treatments from your dentist<\/a> are the ideal choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Medieval Teeth Whitening Was Rather Terrifying<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

People in the Middle Ages viewed white teeth as favorably as we do today, but they didn\u2019t have the same safe and effective methods that today\u2019s dentists use to address stains and discoloration. If you wanted whiter teeth in medieval Europe, you\u2019d probably go see a barber who also provided for the town\u2019s surgical needs. He would perform a whitening treatment that involved abrasing the surface of the teeth with a file and treating the enamel with nitric acid to burn away the stained outer layers of the enamel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While this treatment could leave a patient\u2019s teeth significantly whiter, it did so by leaving them more vulnerable to injury, infection, and loss. Modern teeth whitening treatments are completely non-destructive so you won\u2019t have to worry about compromising your oral health for the sake of your smile\u2019s appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DIY Teeth Whitening Is a Recipe for Disaster<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Socia media influencers today are peddling a wide range of at-home teeth whitening techniques, but these are almost universally bad ideas. You may have heard of people using substances like lemon juice and activated charcoal to remove stubborn stains, but these methods work by destroying discolored but otherwise healthy enamel. It\u2019s best to leave your teeth whitening treatment to a qualified professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teeth Whitening from Your Dentist Is the Way to Go<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for the best way to achieve a whiter smile, your dentist can perform a safe and effective teeth whitening treatment in one of two forms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n