Episode #78: What are the safest ways to whiten teeth?

Ask the Dentist with Dr. Mark Burhenne

A big part of modern dentistry is occupied by the subject and practice of teeth whitening, and while these aspirations and values do not have to be a problem per se, there are some serious things to consider when broaching the subject. Whitening has grown to be the most desirable dental procedure, and a remarkable dimension of this is the frequent requests from parents for brightening their children's teeth. As functional dentists, we have some important concerns to raise in this regard, and there are some simple rules and facts that all parents should be aware of before diving into bleaching treatments. In this episode, we explore some of the effective natural methods for whitening, what the stance of a dentist should be in these conversations and procedures, and how to mitigate the strong influence many young people experience from beauty standards on social media. We also spend some time talking about things to avoid, while noting the value of self-esteem and its relationship to our personal appearance. So to hear it all from Dr. B and Dr. Staci, be sure to tune in today!
Key Points From This Episode:

• Common questions and requests from parents about whitening children's teeth [01:36]
• Natural approaches to whitening teeth [06:52]
• Thoughts on dentists bringing up the subject of whitening with their patients [08:25]
• Issues and dangers regarding bleaching [11:01]
• The problem with charcoal toothpaste and certain types of usage [15:35]
• Touching on the real impact of fluoride overuse [20:22]
• Veneers and bleaching; common practices for young people on social media [22:00]
• Comments and concerns about different light treatments [26:11]
• Misinformation and the role of dentists in correcting this [33:54]

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