A brighter smile can be tempting, especially when there are countless whitening products available at pharmacies and online. But before you reach for whitening strips, gels, or other products, there’s one important question to ask: Are your teeth healthy enough to whiten?

If you have an untreated cavity, whitening your teeth without consulting your dentist first could lead to pain, sensitivity, and other complications. That’s why a dental evaluation should come before any whitening treatment.