Whiterexia It is the obsession with getting whiter and whiter teeth. This makes people who suffer from it always feel like they have spots or dark tones on their teeth, even when their teeth are stained. smiles are clinically healthy and within the normal whiteness range.
This obsession can lead to excessive use of whitening treatmentswhich can be harmful to dental health. “People often seek unrealistic results through home methods, which can lead to damage to tooth enamel, extreme sensitivity and other dental problems,” he notes. Lorena Trinidad Buenodentist in the Department of Innovation and Clinical Quality of Sanitas Dental.
This problem is reflected in the fact that more than 3 out of 5 Spaniards (61.96%) consider that the appearance of their smile This influences them a lot or a lot when it comes to smiling, according to the study by Sanitas on Oral Health 2024. “People who suffer from dental whiteness often seek an unattainable aesthetic perfection, which can be associated with a negative self-image and low self-esteem. In recent years, this situation has been aggravated by the unrealistic expectations of filters and retouching promoted by social networks,” he adds. Virginia del Palaciopsychologist from Blua de Sanitas.
It is important to understand that teeth can become stained over time for a variety of reasons, including: such as plaque buildup, eating certain foods or smokingamong others. According to the same study cited above, approximately 60% of people would be willing to undergo teeth whitening (57.28%), a treatment that removes stains and restores the natural whiteness of teeth.
Teeth whitening can dramatically improve the appearance of your smile, but it must be done safely to avoid problems and achieve the best possible results:
• Avoid home methods: Do not use home remedies or unauthorized products to whiten your teeth. These methods can be harmful and do not provide reliable results. It should always be kept in mind that this is a dental treatment that must be supervised by a professional.
• Diagnosis of the condition of the mouth: Before performing whitening, it is essential to detect any disease or alteration that could make it inadvisable, such as dental caries or periodontal disease.
• Durability of whitening: The results are not permanent. Over time, factors such as consuming staining foods and drinks (coffee, tea, red wine) and smoking can cause teeth to yellow again. To maintain the results for as long as possible, it is advisable to avoid these habits.
• Periodic maintenance: In order to prolong the effects of the treatment, it is advisable to carry out periodic maintenance treatments. These may include touch-ups or the use of home maintenance products, but always according to the dentist’s specifications, either in physical consultation or in video consultation.
• Demystifying whitening pastes: These can help remove surface stains and restore teeth to their original color, but they do not offer deep whitening. To achieve a better effect, it is necessary to use specialized dental products that can only be applied by professionals in the clinic or through kits authorized for home use.
