Teeth Whitening Dangers

The Dangers of Teeth Whitening

With more and more people using teeth whitening products, it is natural to ask whether there are any dangers in whitening teeth. It turns out that there are a few. Most arise from incorrect application of whitening products.

The idea of whitening teeth is not entirely new – people have been doing it in one form or another for a long time. In recent years, it has gained immense popularity. Everyone wants teeth like those of their favorite movie star. And many teeth whitening processes can produce teeth that are at least a few shades lighter. As a result, we find more and more people with bright, confident smiles.

As the years pass, everyone’s teeth tend to become yellow or at least, off white. This happens even when we consume a sensible diet. However, if we drink excessive amounts of coffee, tea, red wine, etc, the yellowing process speeds up considerably. Smoking can damage teeth putting heavy stains on them. To undo the damage, many individuals choose to use teeth whitening products.

The dentist has several ways to whiten your teeth. He or she can use laser teeth whitening (lasers combined with a special gel) to lighten teeth color. There are chemical agents that can produce whiter teeth. Some involve using a teeth tray to fit over your teeth which contain whitening substances. There are also whitening toothpastes, over-the-counter whitening trays, bleaching substances and many other kinds of products available on the market.

Dentists and healthcare professionals tend to agree that whitening teeth is a relatively safe process. There are practically no dangers involved. When a professionally competent dentist implements a whitening procedure, he or she follows the right process using the right combinations of chemicals, lasers, cleaning and other procedures.

The dangers in whitening teeth arise from the incorrect use of over-the-counter products. This can result in impaired oral health.

Teeth whitening products bought in the market usually have detailed instructions on how to use them. If you do not follow these instructions, you can put your teeth at risk.

Always use trays that fit correctly. Using trays that are not of the right size / alignment can damage your teeth. Leaving a tray on the teeth longer than recommended can also damage teeth. So can a tray that allows the whitening agent to spill out into your mouth. Other teeth whitening products if used in excess of the recommended quantities can do damage as well. These are the real dangers in whitening teeth.

There are specific dangers associated with the incorrect use of whitening products.

If the chemical agent used in the whitening tray spills out, it can burn the tissues of your gums or other parts of the mouth. Swallowing these chemicals can result in a severe stomach upset. It can also cause nausea, dizziness and vomiting.

Many teeth whitening products have bleaching agents. Using these produces in excess can do serious damage to nerve endings. The result can be extreme sensitivity to cold and hot substances. Some people’s teeth even become sensitive to the outside temperature. Overuse of bleaching products may also result in loss of teeth.

These are some of the dangers in whitening teeth. The best way to guard against these problems is to go to a dentist for your teeth whitening needs. Following the proper procedures will minimize any risks involved.

If you do choose to use over-the-counter products, make sure you follow instructions precisely. It pays to make extra efforts to avoid the dangers in whitening teeth.