Teeth Whitening Side Effects
Everyone wants a brighter smile. But are the side-effects worth it? This article will attempt to give you a better idea so you can answer that question.
I like to classify two types of whitening: teeth cleaning and teeth bleaching. Cleaning is the act of removing tooth stains using natural methods such as baking soda or activated charcoal. Teeth bleaching is whitening teeth to a brighter shade than their optimum, clean appearance. Many teeth still look dingy even when they are as clean as possible.
Teeth bleaching most often uses whitening agents that include concentrated hydrogen peroxide and/or carbamide peroxide. Almost all whitening strips, trays, and in-office professional whitening use a form of these whitening components. And most of the common teeth whitening side effects occur because of bleaching.
What are the side effects to teeth whitening?
Tooth Sensitivity - By far the most common issue with teeth whitening. This is caused much the same way as eating something too hot or cold. Teeth whitening agents are designed to go through the enamel and react with small tubules in the dentin layer. When these tubules are open, fluid becomes mobile creating friction and causing pain.
Many newer methods try to combat this issue by adding anti-sensitive ingredients to their teeth whitening solutions. Substances like fluoride, potassium nitrate and calcium help block the tubules in the dentin and alleviate nerve irritation.
Gum Sensitivity - Peroxide is known to irritate soft tissue when left exposed to it. Many teeth whitening products have specific directions that try to prevent causing sensitive gums. Although over-the-counter peroxide can be part of a healthy cleaning regiment, its only around 3%, and even then its recommended to be watered down. The amounts concentrated in teeth whitening products can be considerably higher. Under prolonged contact, gums will turn temporarily white and numb and in more severe cases become red and inflamed.
Most sensitivity caused by teeth whitening goes away within a few days. The gums heal and the teeth return to their normal state. However, if usage goes beyond the recommended time period, then there's an increased possibility of more permanent sensitivity and damage to enamel.
Toxicity - The long term affects of ingesting carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide based products are largely inconclusive. Saliva breaks most of these down effectively, but the risk of ingesting too much is there. Its never recommended to whiten longer than the directions provide.
Not happy with results - This can either be the teeth turning out too white, or more often, not white enough. It helps to be reasonable in your expectations, as it may take several applications or sessions to get your desired results. Even the quickest most effective in-office visits often require follow ups.
Many times not getting the desired results is directly tied with how teeth were stained in the first place. Teeth stains on the outer enamel layers are easier to whiten than deeper dentin layers.
Although results vary depending on the teeth whitening product, its worth noting that the majority of people who attempt to whiten their teeth do not experience any negative side effects or recover within a few days. If you want to explore teeth whitening, its always a good idea to consult with your dentist first. They can give appropriate advice depending on your current dental state and help monitor your progress.
I like to classify two types of whitening: teeth cleaning and teeth bleaching. Cleaning is the act of removing tooth stains using natural methods such as baking soda or activated charcoal. Teeth bleaching is whitening teeth to a brighter shade than their optimum, clean appearance. Many teeth still look dingy even when they are as clean as possible.
Teeth bleaching most often uses whitening agents that include concentrated hydrogen peroxide and/or carbamide peroxide. Almost all whitening strips, trays, and in-office professional whitening use a form of these whitening components. And most of the common teeth whitening side effects occur because of bleaching.
What are the side effects to teeth whitening?
Tooth Sensitivity - By far the most common issue with teeth whitening. This is caused much the same way as eating something too hot or cold. Teeth whitening agents are designed to go through the enamel and react with small tubules in the dentin layer. When these tubules are open, fluid becomes mobile creating friction and causing pain.
Many newer methods try to combat this issue by adding anti-sensitive ingredients to their teeth whitening solutions. Substances like fluoride, potassium nitrate and calcium help block the tubules in the dentin and alleviate nerve irritation.
Gum Sensitivity - Peroxide is known to irritate soft tissue when left exposed to it. Many teeth whitening products have specific directions that try to prevent causing sensitive gums. Although over-the-counter peroxide can be part of a healthy cleaning regiment, its only around 3%, and even then its recommended to be watered down. The amounts concentrated in teeth whitening products can be considerably higher. Under prolonged contact, gums will turn temporarily white and numb and in more severe cases become red and inflamed.
Most sensitivity caused by teeth whitening goes away within a few days. The gums heal and the teeth return to their normal state. However, if usage goes beyond the recommended time period, then there's an increased possibility of more permanent sensitivity and damage to enamel.
Toxicity - The long term affects of ingesting carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide based products are largely inconclusive. Saliva breaks most of these down effectively, but the risk of ingesting too much is there. Its never recommended to whiten longer than the directions provide.
Not happy with results - This can either be the teeth turning out too white, or more often, not white enough. It helps to be reasonable in your expectations, as it may take several applications or sessions to get your desired results. Even the quickest most effective in-office visits often require follow ups.
Many times not getting the desired results is directly tied with how teeth were stained in the first place. Teeth stains on the outer enamel layers are easier to whiten than deeper dentin layers.
Although results vary depending on the teeth whitening product, its worth noting that the majority of people who attempt to whiten their teeth do not experience any negative side effects or recover within a few days. If you want to explore teeth whitening, its always a good idea to consult with your dentist first. They can give appropriate advice depending on your current dental state and help monitor your progress.
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