How safe is teeth whitening?

June 16, 2021

Teeth whitening toothpastes, over-the-counter gels, rinses, strips, trays, and whitening treatments obtained from a dentist are just a few of the options.

People with healthy, unrestored teeth (no fillings) and gums are good candidates for teeth whitening. Individuals with yellow teeth get the highest results. However, this cosmetic dentistry treatment is not for everyone.

Teeth Whitening Systems

It's never been easier to put a grin on your face at home. You can try a variety of products, including rinses, gels, chewing gum, toothpastes, and strips.

If you decide to try teeth whitening at home, the American Dental Association recommends consulting with your cosmetic dentist first, especially if you have any of the following conditions:

Dental restorations
Teeth sensitivity
Stains that are really black or a solitary dark tooth
Several fillings or crowns

Peroxides, mainly carbamide peroxide, are included in at-home whiteners in concentrations ranging from 10% to 20%.

Choose a product with a peroxide content that falls somewhere in the center of that range. You can pick a higher level if the product does not irritate your mouth but does not provide the desired lightening effect. If you have any questions, your dentist can assist you in determining which whitener is appropriate for you.

Safety Recommendations for Teeth Whitening

Pay attention to the instructions. If you keep the strips or gels on for longer than the manufacturer recommends, you risk developing sore gums and setting yourself up for further issues. To preserve your teeth, avoid soda, sports drinks, or other acidic beverages for a few hours after whitening.

Protect your teeth if they are sensitive. After you whiten your teeth, you may have some sensitivity, but this is typically very temporary. If your teeth and gums are in good health, it may be less of a concern. Stop the procedure and talk to your dentist if it concerns you. Gel-filled trays, which you wear like a mouth guard over your teeth, might irritate your gums if they don't fit properly. If you start experiencing this issue, it's a good idea to cease using the product.

Don't go overboard. When it comes to whitening, how much is too much? A once-a-month touch-up session is typically adequate if you follow the product's recommendations and achieve a decent outcome. You'll need to repeat the numerous bleaching procedures twice a year or fewer once your teeth have reached a shade you prefer.

What Is the Duration of Whitening Effects?

Teeth whitening is not a long-term solution. People who consume stain-causing foods and beverages may notice their teeth's brightness begin to diminish in as little as one month.

The degree of whiteness varies from person to person and is determined by the state of the teeth, the extent of staining, and the type of bleaching technique employed.

Dentist Supervised vs. At-Home

Do-it-yourself teeth whitening isn't the same as having your teeth professionally whitened. There are a few key distinctions to keep in mind.

Bleaching agent's potency. Over-the-counter and dentist-supervised at-home bleaching solutions often include a lower intensity bleaching agent with a carbamide peroxide concentration of 10% to 22%, which is comparable to roughly 3% hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide percentages in in-office, professionally administered teeth whitening solutions range from 15 percent to 43 percent.

Trays for mouthpieces. When using at-home whitening solutions that are overseen by a dentist, your dentist will take an imprint of your teeth and create a mouthpiece tray that is tailored to fit your teeth perfectly. This modification ensures that the whitening gel applied to the mouthpiece tray makes maximum contact with the teeth. A custom-made tray also reduces the amount of gel that comes into touch with gum tissue.

A mouthpiece tray is also included in over-the-counter whitening treatments, but the "one-size-fits-all" approach implies that the fit will not be precise. By allowing more bleaching gel to flow into the gum and soft tissue, ill-fitting trays can irritate these tissues. The bleaching agent will be administered directly to your teeth during in-office treatments.

Additional safeguards are in place. To protect your gums and oral cavities from the bleaching effects, your dentist will apply a gel to the gum tissue or use a rubber shield (which slips over the teeth) prior to treatment in the office. These added safeguards are not available in over-the-counter medications.

Costs. The least expensive alternative is over-the-counter bleaching, while in-office tooth whitening is the most expensive.

Processes that are monitored vs. unsupervised. First, your dentist can do an oral exam and take into account your entire medical history, which may assist determine if bleaching is the best treatment option depending on the kind and degree of stains, as well as the quantity and placement of restorations. Your dentist can then better match the kind of stain to the best therapy for lightening those stains, if necessary.

When your dentist conducts it, they'll probably want to see you a couple of times to answer any concerns you have about the procedure, to make sure the personalized tray fits well, to check for indications of inflammation in your gums, and to see how the process is going in general. You're on your own with over-the-counter bleaching products.

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