Teeth whitening are ideal for people who have healthy, unrestored teeth and healthy gums who want a brighter smile. People with yellow teeth respond best to such whitening efforts. However, this cosmetic treatment is not recommended for everyone.

Teeth whitening process may not be successful under certain conditions. Many dentists do not recommend teeth whitening for children. Bleaching is not suggested for the children under the 16 years of age. The pulp chambers and the nerve endings of the teeth remain enlarged till this age. Teeth whitening under such condition could irritate or make the teeth more sensitive. Teeth whitening are never recommended for the pregnant or lactating women.

If you are suffering from gum disease and/or having teeth with worn enamel then you are not advised to undergo teeth whitening treatment. Before undergoing any whitening process you have to be treated properly if you are having cavities. The whitening gels can penetrate through existing decay and the inner portion of the tooth (i.e. pulp or nerve endings), and cause sensitivity. Exposed roots do not have any enamel cover. So the whitening treatments are not effective on exposed teeth roots.

People with sensitive teeth should maintain certain precautions before whitening their teeth. Some people might be allergic to certain whitening products found in the market. People with sensitive teeth and gums or defective restorations and receding gums should consult their dental professional before using a tooth whitening product. If you are allergic to peroxide components then you should avoid a bleaching product strictly.

If you have any tooth-colored fillings those should be replaced after the bleaching treatment is completed. It is better to consider crowns, bonding or veneers rather than teeth whitening treatment for those having numerous dental restorations which result in uneven whitening. Smokers should keep in mind that they cannot get desired result if they cannot abstain from smoking specifically during whitening procedure.

Any dental restoration work like crowns, veneers, bonding, bridges etc. will not show the results of whitening on the same. Teeth whitening do not whiten resin composite materials used in restorations and teeth-colored composite fillings.

You will get uneven shades on your teeth if you have whitened your teeth after any dental restoration work. The teeth with dental restorations will appear darker than those without restorations. Any whitening treatment should be done before the dentures, or porcelain restorations or any other dental restoration work to achieve best possible match.

Your dentist can guide you to adopt the best strategy that could be safe and suitable for your teeth condition.