There’s nothing wrong with wanting whiter teeth and a brighter smile.
Today there are a variety of different teeth whitening kits available over the counter. However, what many people don’t realize about these kits is that they come with hidden risks.
In this post, we’ll examine the reasons why you should quit using at-home teeth whitening kits.
3 Reasons to Stop Using Teeth Whitening Kits
Whitening your teeth comes at a cost, and it isn’t always just the expense of purchasing the product. Some whitening kits have been shown to have some rather harmful side effects.
Listed below are three disconcerting reasons to seek alternatives to over-the-counter products:
1. Gum Irritation
Gum irritation can quickly occur if you select the wrong product or don’t follow the instructions.
Many whitening products contain different types of peroxides, including hydrogen peroxide. You might be familiar with hydrogen peroxide if you’ve ever used it to clean an injury or to bleach your hair.
Additionally, different products contain different levels of these peroxides, as well as other chemicals such as bleach. If the levels of these chemicals are too high, gum irritation can occur. Furthermore, the American Dental Association cautions that there isn’t adequate data for it to condone long-term unsupervised use.
2. Chemical Content
When it comes to the chemical content of teeth whitening kits, more is not better.
As previously mentioned, the ingredient lists of most whitening kits include a list of some not-so-safe chemicals. But what consumers should be most wary of is the levels at which these chemicals are found.
For example, if a whitening strip containing smaller amounts of a peroxide isn’t working, you might be tempted to try a different product which contains more of the active ingredient. This can be harmful to your gums and teeth, however.
In fact, in 2007, researchers tested the chemical contents of whitening kits and found that 18 of 20 kits evaluated contained unlawful amounts of bleach.
3. Permanent Damage
First and foremost, the importance of consulting your dentist prior to any form of teeth whitening treatment cannot be stressed enough. In fact, the American Dental Association recommends that bleaching products should only be used following a thorough dental exam.
If your teeth and gums aren’t healthy enough, the use of some whitening kits could lead to irreparable damage. However, this type of damage is considered rare. What’s more common is temporary tooth sensitivity and soft gum tissue irritation.
Rare cases of extensive damage do indeed occur, though. In 2015, a young English man had an acute allergic reaction to whitening strips. The reaction resulted in an emergency surgery to drain a hydrogen peroxide filled sac from below his tongue. Although instances such as this are rare, they do happen.
A Better Way to Whiten Teeth
Before trying at-home teeth whitening kits it’s crucial to first consult your dentist. Your teeth might not be healthy enough to see results without risking your dental health.
If you want a better way to whiten your teeth, consider receiving a professional cosmetic dental treatment. To learn more about Pacific Beach Smile Studio’s dental services, contact us today to request your appointment!