Everyone wants white teeth, but it’s important to have them in good condition before using a teeth whitening product. A professional whitening treatment from your dentist can produce the best results, leaving your teeth several shades whiter. However, teeth whitening treatments can also temporarily affect the enamel layer, and they can irritate teeth that have untreated tooth decay. Here’s why cavities and teeth whitening don’t mix, and what to do about it.
Why Do I Need to Repair My Cavities Before Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening treatments cannot remove stains that result from tooth decay, but that’s not the only reason to avoid these procedures if you have cavities. Imagine someone pouring a bit of salt into your hand — you probably wouldn’t think anything of it. But if that same salt landed on a hand with broken skin, you’d feel it immediately.
Using teeth whitening products on teeth with cavities has a similar effect. While healthy enamel can handle the whitening agents used in professional treatments, those same chemicals can irritate the underlying tooth structure that decay has exposed. Because of this risk, a patient with tooth decay should only receive teeth whitening after any cavities have been treated and resolved.
How Can My Tooth Decay Be Repaired?
Modern dentistry offers several reliable ways to repair a decayed tooth. Tooth-colored composite fillings are now the standard for most cavities, matching a tooth’s natural color and forming a strong bond with the surrounding enamel — a more natural-looking, durable restoration than older metal fillings could achieve.
More extensively decayed teeth may need a root canal, which removes infected pulp from inside the tooth before sterilizing, filling, and sealing the interior chamber. A crown is then placed over the tooth to protect it and restore its function and appearance. It’s worth noting that whitening treatments don’t affect crowns, which can lead to an uneven shade if whitening happens after a crown is placed rather than before.
A thorough oral exam before any whitening treatment lets your dentist catch decay ahead of time, so always talk with your dentist before starting a whitening treatment on your own.
Get a Brighter, Healthier Smile at Boston Smile Center
Boston Smile Center provides comprehensive dental care in Brookline, MA. Led by Drs. Alan Sasson and Avi Shainhouse, our team believes a healthy mouth supports a healthy body, offering general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry, including professional teeth whitening. If you’re curious whether whitening is right for you, contact our office online or call (617) 739-1017.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cavities and Teeth Whitening
Can I whiten my teeth if I only have one small cavity?
Even a small cavity should be treated first, since whitening agents can irritate the exposed tooth structure at the site of decay, regardless of how minor it seems.
Will whitening make an existing cavity worse?
Whitening itself doesn’t cause decay to spread, but it can cause discomfort or sensitivity at the site of untreated decay, which is why treating cavities first is recommended.
Does teeth whitening work on crowns or fillings?
No. Whitening only affects natural enamel, so existing crowns, veneers, or fillings won’t change color, which can create a visible mismatch if those restorations aren’t accounted for beforehand.
How soon after a filling can I get my teeth whitened?
Your dentist can advise on timing based on your specific treatment, but generally it’s best to allow the restoration to fully settle before starting a whitening treatment.
How many shades whiter can professional whitening make my teeth?
Professional treatments can lighten teeth significantly, often several shades, though the exact result depends on your starting shade and the cause of discoloration.