Teeth whitening is one of the most requested dental services these days after being influenced by celebrities and influencers online.
Whiter and perfect smiles are the current trend; As a response, quite a few whitening products are available in the market.
However recent reports have shown that many Australian Dentists are worried about the number of people seeking whitening treatment.
Improper use has resulted in chemical burns and ulcers in patients misusing teeth whitening products.
So how safe are the whitening products?
The truth is, as long as you follow the direction, most treatments are safe, but they do have a few risks.
Risks Associated with Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is generally considered safe as long as you follow the instructions and the precautions. Even then, you may experience some side effects as mentioned below…
Teeth Sensitivity
Teeth whitening procedure can make your teeth sensitive. This usually happens after the first or second treatment, however the sensitivity may diminish over a period of time.
Your dentist may suggest products with potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride gel to treat the sensitivity.
Irritated Gums
Teeth whitening products are not supposed to come into contact with your gums.
In case of any contact, you can experience gingival irritation as your gums become irritated.
Damaged Enamel
A study found that hydrogen peroxide found in teeth whitening products can damage the proteins in the tooth’s dentin layer.
Dentin is the hard tissue that lies beneath the tooth’s surface enamel.
To Bleach or Not to Bleach
Even though teeth whitening is successful in 90% of the patients, not all stained teeth can be lightened successfully by over-the-counter (OTC) products.
For example, yellowed tooth responds better to whitening, while brown and grey stains don’t show a dramatic response.
Furthermore, OTC products though inexpensive may have more risks than those performed by your dentist.
Results from a dentist-supervised teeth whitening can last as long as five years, depending on your daily habits.
Keep in mind that teeth whitening is not a permanent process.
You’ll need to seek treatments occasionally and the whitening products are for natural teeth only.
They do not work on dental veneers, implants, bridges, crowns, dentures or anything synthetic.
Safe Steps to Whiter Teeth
Whitening products based on hydrogen peroxide have been around for decades and are recommended by dentists worldwide.
However, you need to be careful and follow the below-mentioned precautions:
- ADA Seal of Approval: You can find the seal of approval in whitening toothpaste and tooth bleaching products.
- Follow the Instructions: Ensure that you follow the instructions mentioned on the products.
- See Your Dentist: Instead of over the counter products consult with your dentist. They can suggest the best product for your needs.
- Listen to Your Teeth: Consult with your dentist if you develop any kind of teeth sensitivity to the whitening products.
Conclusion
As long as you stick with dentist-approved methods for teeth whitening, you should be safe.
However, ensure that you follow all the directions and contact the dentist in case of any sensitivity or side effects.
Teeth whitening products can be an excellent way to achieve a brighter smile, however, they are not an alternative to good dental hygiene.
If you’d like to have whiter teeth contact out teeth whitening Gold Coast dentists about a consultation.
