At-home teeth whitening has experienced a surge in popularity as a great way to get the pearly whites anyone desires without frequent and costly trips to the dentist. Depending on the types of teeth whitening purchases and the previous oral health of the user, teeth whitening can pose a significant risk to your teeth.
Consult with a Dentist to Avoid Teeth Whitening Problems
At-home whitening kits distributed by reputable brands may be safe for those with excellent oral health to use. Whitening kits contain some amount of bleach or peroxide. Some bargain brands may contain an unhealthy concentration of these chemicals that can cause the rapid loss of tooth enamel and irritation of the gums. When swallowed, this can lead to significant damage of the esophagus or stomach lining.
Some of the most common risks associated with home whitening kits are:
- Stomach problems as a result of chemical ingestion
- Increased risk of oral infections due to gum damage
- Toothaches caused by sensitivity to dentin or nerve roots
- Gum shrinkage
- Severe tooth and gum sensitivity
Whitening kits can be especially dangerous for those with untreated cavities, gum disease, or women that are pregnant. These populations run the highest risk for negative side effects as a result of teeth whitening.
One of the other unintentional side effects of at-home teeth whitening is the potential to develop multi-colored teeth as some crowns, veneers, and other dental services will not react to the bleaching solution the same way a person’s natural teeth do.
The best bet for anyone seeking to brighten their smile would be to make an appointment with an experienced dentist that can professionally whiten their teeth with no serious damage. The Beverly Hills dentists at Bedford Dental Group offer teeth whitening services and can provide an individualized service to reflect anyone’s specific teeth whitening needs.
