Can You Get Your Teeth Whitened if You Have Cavities?

Hollywood movies, celebrity gossip magazines, and social media can all be very misleading in terms of our appearance, especially when it comes to our teeth.

People in magazines, on TV, in the movies, and on social media tend to all have immaculately straight and brilliantly white teeth, which are simply not natural. Sure, it’s nice to have a nice smile, but your teeth should not be that bright that they glow in the dark.

Because of everyday life, it’s natural for the teeth to become slightly discoloured and stained, and in fact, slightly discoloured teeth are in fact a sign of strong and healthy teeth. Despite this, though, most people’s idea of perfection in terms of the teeth is a set of brilliant and bright pearly whites.

Teeth whitening services in this country are now in higher demand than ever before, and for good reason too. The only issue with teeth whitening however, is confusion regarding whether or not you can whiten the teeth if you have cavities.

So, can you get your teeth whitened if you have cavities? Well, let’s find out, shall we?

What are cavities?

Before we address the act of whitening your teeth, first we need to address the elephant in the room, which in this case is the issue of cavities.

Cavities are areas of damage on the hard surface of the teeth that refuse to go away. These areas of damage on the exterior of the teeth get more and more severe until eventually they form tiny holes and openings.

Cavities can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Trauma to the teeth
• Bacteria
• Poor diet
• Poor oral hygiene habits
• A lack of dental treatments
• and much more...

Cavities can become larger and larger if left unaddressed and can cause infections, toothache, and even tooth loss.

Can you get your teeth whitened if you have cavities?

Cavities can cause, or be caused by, tooth decay, which means that sometimes it can cause the teeth to become stained and discoloured.

It is therefore, perfectly natural to want to have your teeth whitened if you suffer with cavities and decay, but can you get your teeth whitened if you have cavities? Well, not really.

If you have cavities in your teeth, they will only spread, get worse, and leave your teeth sensitive and vulnerable to infection. Obviously this is not ideal when whitening your teeth due to the bleaching solutions that dentists use.

So, if you have open cavities you cannot have your teeth whitened until they have been addressed. Speak to your dentist who will then examine your teeth, make a diagnosis and prescribe the best course of treatment, which in the case of a cavity is likely a filling.

Once your cavities have been filled and your dentist is happy that the rest of your teeth are healthy, they you can think about getting your teeth whitened.

How do you whiten a decayed tooth?

If your teeth have decayed as a result of a cavity, you will need to get any open cavities filled, like we just mentioned. Dentists use fillings to fill in cracks, holes, and cavities in your teeth which have been caused due to tooth decay.

Typically, dentists will use dental amalgam, which is made up of a combination of different metals and is therefore very durable and hardwearing. Because of the colour, these are usually used in teeth at the back.

Teeth at the front of the mouth are filled with white composite fillings made from a resin and glass mixture as it is tooth coloured.

Once the fillings have been installed, this should prevent bacteria from entering the inside of the tooth and causing further decay. Once your dentist is satisfied that the tooth is no longer decaying, they can then whiten your teeth, or provide you with an at home whitening kit, if you would prefer to do it yourself.

Who should not get teeth whitening?

Despite teeth whitening bleach solutions being safe and effective when used to whiten the teeth, there are certain individuals who should not use them and therefore should not get their teeth whitened.

People with extreme gum recession, gum disease, and highly sensitive teeth should not get their teeth whitened. Individuals with oral cancer and pregnant women should also not get their teeth whitened just to be on the safe side.

Claim your teeth whitening offer now!

If you’ve always wanted your teeth to be brilliantly white, stop dreaming about it and make it happen!

Here at Nedlands Dental we offer, amongst others, a wide range of teeth whitening services guaranteed to give you that smile you’ve always wanted.

Contact Nedlands Dental now for a no obligation consultation and get yourself on the path to a brighter, whiter, smile.