A Hollywood smile is the dream of many people, but unfortunately, it is not achievable for everyone. There are certain contraindications to teeth whitening that can bury your plans for dazzling whiteness forever. Don't worry - some of these are fixable! Read our article and find out more. 

First Contraindications for tooth whitening are tartar and plaque 

You absolutely must get rid of it before whitening! But don't worry - all you need to do is make an appointment with your dentist and he or she will carry out the hygienization procedure in one visit. Read more about this in our article: "Dental hygiene in the UK - scaling, tooth sandblasting, polishing and fluoridation". 

Hole in a tooth, tooth decay? Get rid of them quickly! 

Another contraindication would be cavities of various kinds. Cavities, decay. Holes - large or small - can be dealt with by the dentist in just one visit. He or she will place a suitable filling - and that's it! Read more: "Filling a tooth in the UK - types of fillings in the UK and their prices".

Caries, on the other hand, which is an infectious disease, will be a tad more difficult. Why? It means that even despite fantastic oral hygiene, you are still at risk of it. If left untreated, not only is it a contraindication to teeth whitening, it also a danger to the health of the whole organism! 

So how can it be cured? If detected early, it is not a problem. The use of a fluoride preparation prescribed by the dentist is sufficient, and sometimes a remineralisation treatment in the surgery itself. Don't forget that the basis for treating caries is, of course, perfect oral hygiene. More severely developed decay will require its removal and the placement of a filling, and in extreme cases root canal treatment will be necessary. Read more about caries: "Tooth decay - where does it come from, how to treat and prevent it?". 

Paradontosis - the enemy of your smile! 

Another contraindication for tooth whitening is periodontitis. Untreated periodontitis may even lead to tooth loss! So do not underestimate its symptoms. Also take into account the fact that it is a hereditary disease. So if someone in your family has suffered from periodontitis, it is necessary to pay special attention to your teeth and under no circumstances skip a check-up every 6 months. 

The first symptom of periodontitis is bleeding gums and unpleasant breath. In the more advanced stage of the disease, the tooth necks are exposed and, consequently, the teeth elongate. 

How is periodontitis treated? If it is at an early stage, regular hygiene treatments are sufficient. In the more advanced stage, on the other hand, the matter needs to be taken more seriously. In our office we offer treatment using equipment Vector Paro Pro. This device works by means of ultrasound, making the treatment completely painless. And for more information on periodontitis and details on its treatment, check out our article: "Periodontitis - causes, symptoms and treatment of periodontitis in the UK". 

Gum disease is another contraindication to teeth whitening

Any kind of gum disease and aphthae are also contraindications to teeth whitening. Inflammation, recession and of course, already detailed by us, periodontitis. Read our article to find out more: "Gum disease - causes, symptoms and treatment". 

In order to prevent them, it is essential that you maintain proper oral hygiene (not sure you know how to do this? Read our article: "(Not) proper oral hygiene - the 10 biggest mistakes"). 

It is also imperative that you visit your dentist once every 6 months for a thorough cleaning of your teeth to remove tartar and plaque. This way, you can be sure that your smile can undergo a whitening treatment! 

Are you pregnant? Hold off on the whitening

During pregnancy and when you are breastfeeding, refrain from whitening your teeth. The reason is simple - it has never been researched whether any of the substances will adversely affect the health of the little one, so it is better to blow cold. Such research will also never be carried out for ethical reasons. 

Contraindications to teeth whitening - other diseases

Other contraindications to teeth whitening also include certain diseases. These include, for example, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, epilepsy and cancer. Why? The reason is simple - an already severely damaged body may not be able to cope with the whitening procedure, which in this case may have the effect of weakening the enamel. In healthy individuals, properly performed whitening will not involve this, but you never know how such a weakened body will react. 

What's more, if you want to improve the colour of your teeth and you are taking permanent medication, also consult your dentist - perhaps these must not be combined with whitening preparations. Also make sure you are not allergic to any of them. 

Dental treatment - are they a big cost? 

This, of course, depends on what is going on in your mouth. Even if there is a lot to do, don't worry. At our practice, we have a way to do it! You can spread the treatment of your smile into convenient, interest-free instalments. Read more in our article: "Teeth on credit: dental treatment on hire purchase". 

And when you achieve the smile of your dreams - which we wish you with all our hearts - Don't forget to follow the recommendations after the treatment. That way, your white teeth will dazzle for even longer! Read: "Recommendations after teeth whitening - what can and cannot be done?".