{"id":84,"date":"2025-09-18T21:55:16","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T21:55:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bostonprosthodontics.com\/blog\/?p=84"},"modified":"2025-09-18T21:55:17","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T21:55:17","slug":"treat-cavities-before-whitening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bostonprosthodontics.com\/blog\/treat-cavities-before-whitening\/","title":{"rendered":"Patience is A Virtue: Why You Should Treat Cavities Before Whitening Your Teeth"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Woman<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If your smile has been tarnished by dental stains for a long time, it\u2019s only natural that you would be excited for a transformative treatment<\/a> like teeth whitening. However, if you have an active case of cavities, there are good reasons to \u201cpush pause\u201d on your plans. As the old saying goes, \u201cpatience is a virtue,\u201d and you\u2019ll soon see why that certainly applies to teeth whitening!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Happens When You Get Cavities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To fully understand why teeth whitening with cavities is a bad idea, you\u2019ll need to know what actually happens when you get one. Cavities form when oral bacteria build up is advanced enough to eat a hole through your teeth \u2013 almost literally. These bacteria produce a type of acid that\u2019s particularly harmful to natural enamel, so this protective layer eventually erodes, leaving your dental pulp and nerves exposed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Teeth are More Vulnerable<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When cavities strike, the structural integrity of your teeth essentially becomes compromised. In other words, your smile is more vulnerable than it otherwise would be. While the bleaching agents in teeth whitening treatments are generally safe, they can permanently damage exposed dental nerves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teeth Whitening Will be Painful<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Think of it this way: if you spill salt on perfectly healthy skin, it\u2019s not a big deal. You might not even notice that it happened. But if you spill salt on an open wound, then you\u2019re likely to feel some sharp pain!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under normal circumstances, teeth whitening isn\u2019t an uncomfortable treatment. A tooth with a cavity, however, basically has an open wound. As soon as the bleaching agents come into contact with the more sensitive layers of your dental anatomy, you\u2019re not going to be as excited about your transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Road to Recovery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your cosmetic dentist in Boston discovers a cavity during your pre-treatment exam, it\u2019s worth exercising some patience and pumping the breaks on your dental glow-up. Your dentist can use tooth-colored materials to fill the cavity, which will provide protection for your precious pearly white as well as a seamless restoration<\/a>. When your smile is healthy again, you\u2019ll be able to enjoy your teeth whitening treatment without worries!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our cosmetic dentists<\/a> at Boston Prosthodontics Dental Group use the latest dental technology and research to ensure our patients receive the best care possible. They\u2019re also well-known for their artistry, and use their attention to detail to provide stunning dental cosmetic treatments and create beautiful restorations. If you\u2019re interested in whitening stained teeth in Boston, schedule a consultation with our office. We\u2019ll make sure your smile is healthy and bright! To get in touch, call 617-523-5451 or request an appointment online.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If your smile has been tarnished by dental stains for a long time, it\u2019s only natural that you would be excited for a transformative treatment like teeth whitening. However, if you have an active case of cavities, there are good reasons to \u201cpush pause\u201d on your plans. As the old saying goes, \u201cpatience is a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-84","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nWhy Treat Cavities Before Getting Teeth Whitening | Boston Prosthodontics Dental Group<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"It\u2019s easy to get excited about a cosmetic dental transformation, but if you have cavities, you should wait to get teeth whitening.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bostonprosthodontics.com\/blog\/treat-cavities-before-whitening\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" 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