Dental bonding offers a lot of bang for your buck. It fixes many minor imperfections quickly using a minimally invasive method. It’s a popular cosmetic treatment because it is affordable, effective, and creates natural-looking results. However, the bonding material can change color over time, just like your teeth. If your pearly whites aren’t as bright as they used to be, don’t use teeth whitening products without consulting with your dentist. Here’s what you need to know about using teeth whitening on dental bonding.
Dental Bonding Can Stain
Dental bonding uses a composite resin that is shaded to the color of your enamel to blend in with your tooth. The bonding material is porous, like your enamel. Therefore, it’s vulnerable to staining caused by poor oral hygiene, drinking a lot of coffee, and other factors.
Teeth Whitening and Dental Bonding
Depending on the materials used, whitening agents can have some influence on the color of dental bonding, but it’s not always recommended. It can weaken the bonding material, which can cause it to need replacing sooner.
You may also experience inconsistent results between your enamel and the bonding. The whitening agents can get your enamel up to 8 shades whiter, while the bonding material may not experience the same improvement. This can cause the material to be more visible and look unnatural.
Options for a White Smile
If you have dental bonding, you can still achieve a beautiful smile with teeth whitening. Your cosmetic dentist will create a personalized treatment plan, which may involve whitening your teeth and replacing your bonding to match the new color of your enamel.
Preventing Tooth Discoloration
You can prevent tooth discoloration and ensure your smile stays its brightest using a few tips:
- Brush and Floss: Brush your teeth at least twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Floss daily to remove any food debris or plaque your toothbrush can’t reach.
- Skip Dark Foods and Drinks: Limit your consumption of dark foods and drinks, like coffee, tea, red wine, or berries. If you can’t resist a cup of coffee, use a straw and drink it all at once to limit its exposure to your teeth. Rinse your mouth with water after you finish.
- Don’t Smoke: Don’t smoke or use tobacco to prevent tar and nicotine stains.
- Visit Your Dentist: Visit your dentist every 6 months for a cleaning and checkup to keep your smile healthy and beautiful.
You’ll get the most out of your bonding and keep your smile looking its best by giving your mouth the attention it needs.
About Dr. Guillermo Rivacoba
Dr. Rivacoba earned his dental degree from the University of Health Science Center School of Dentistry and has regularly pursued education in many specialties, including restorative dentistry. He is passionate about creating healthy, beautiful smiles. Request an appointment through his website or call (254) 848-0240.