If you’ve got stubborn tooth stains or discoloration and are considering professional teeth whitening, you may be wondering why you need a preliminary examination with your dentist first. After all, if these same types of products are sold at your local discount store, they should be safe for everyone, right? Unfortunately, however, this simply isn’t true. That’s because whitening teeth that have cavities or decay can make the damage much more severe. Furthermore, because these issues can often be difficult to spot in your own mouth, it’s possible to injure an already damaged tooth without even realizing there’s a problem. Here’s a closer look at why cavities and teeth whitening don’t mix, and the benefits of having a thorough cosmetic dentistry consultation.