Tooth whitening and cavities

Gerilyn Alfe, DMD answers: Is teeth whitening safe if I'm prone to cavities?

Every year, I get a couple more cavities (I like to call them "places to put stuff..."). I'm wondering if starting a teeth whitening regiment is OK if I have existing cavities that haven't been filled yet. Also, does teeth whitening make it more likely you will develop cavities if you're already prone to them?


Gerilyn Alfe, DMD
3 months ago

It depends where the cavities are in your mouth. If they are biting surface cavities, I usually recommend that my patients have them filled before whitening. I prefer that the tooth structure be as healthy as possible before starting a whitening regimen. Also, the bleaching trays that we use fit so intimately that changing the tooth structure after the initial whitnening impressions are taken can alter the fit of the trays. 

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