One of the most widespread cosmetic objectives in the field of dentistry is a brighter smile. With age, coffee, tea, red wine, smoking, some medications, or just the normal wear, teeth may be stained or discoloured. This has made the teeth whitening procedure gain more and more popularity among patients who want to change the look of the smile.
Although they are popular, a significant question many individuals would have to ask themselves, before starting the treatment, is whether teeth whitening treatments are safe.
The answer to this question is yes, when done properly and professionally, teeth whitening is usually deemed as a safe and effective procedure. But not all whitening procedures are as safe and not all patients are the right patients. Knowledge of the mechanism of whitening, potential side effects, and distinction between the professional and over-the-counter treatment can aid patients in making a well-informed choice.
The mechanism of action of teeth whitening.
Treatments of teeth whitening are aimed to remove stains and discolours on the surface of the teeth.
The majority of whitening products have one of the following active ingredients:
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Carbamide peroxide
Common surface stains which are normally treated by means of whitening are:
- Coffee and tea
- Tobacco use
- Foods and beverages of dark color.
- Aging
Not every discolouring is however equal to whitening. The presence of stains due to trauma or some medication or internal damage to the tooth may necessitate another type of treatment.
Are Teeth Whitening Treatments in the Professionals Safe?
Professional whitening of the teeth carried out by a dentist is said to be quite safe.
Dentists apply highly manipulated products and methods that are geared towards whitening the teeth without damaging the gums and the tissues around them. The dentist checks the oral health of the patient before administering treatment to ensure that it is suitable to undergo whitening.
As an illustration, whitening can not be advised when a patient has:
- Untreated cavities
- Gum disease
- Cracked teeth
- Severe tooth sensitivity
- Worn enamel
Addressing these problems will first assist in the reduction of discomfort or complications risk.
Professional whitening is also safer as the power of whitening agent is adjusted to the needs of the patient. The dentist is able to observe the process closely and make amends in case of a need.
Adverse Effects of Teeth Whitening.
Despite the fact that teeth whitening is harmless to the majority of persons, there are certain side effects that are temporary in nature.
The most frequent one is the tooth sensitivity.
Since the process of whitening leaves patients feeling more sensitive to:
- Hot drinks
- Cold foods
- Sweet foods
- Air
This sensitivity is normally short lived and may clear in a number of days.
Mild gum irritation is also another potential side effect. This may occur when the whitening gel gets in contact with the gums. During professional treatments, the gums are normally safeguarded prior to the commencement of the whitening process.
Is it safe to use Over-the-counter Whitening Products?
Whitening strips, toothpastes and whitening kits are widely available, as they are over-the-counter whitening products.
A lot of such products are safe when taken in the proper dosage. They are however, less predictable as compared to professional treatment.
One is because the products purchased over-the-counter is not tailored to the mouth of the patient. The trays or strips can be of wrong size, and the likelihood of the whitening gel contacting the gums is high.
Moreover, other individuals overindulge in using such products or leave them longer than they are supposed to to get faster results. Excessive use may lead to the increase in the risk of:
- Tooth sensitivity
- Gum irritation
- Enamel destruction.
Other whitening products not regulated by the government and offered through the internet can even have too strong or damaging ingredients.
It is on this ground that one should always consult a dental expert before undergoing any whitening treatment.
Is there a risk of Teeth Whitening ruining an Enamel?
The most frequent question that patients raise is that whitening can permanently harm the enamel.
Under the condition that the whitening products are used correctly, they do not tend to damage the enamel.
Whitening products in the case of professionals are specifically designed in order to be safe to the tooth surface. The studies have indicated that no enamel is lost or that as a result of supervised whitening, healthy teeth are weaker.
The following are more likely to lead to problems when:
- Products get overutilized.
- The guidelines are disregarded.
- Products that are very strong are used unsupervised.
Whitening can also cause the teeth to become sensitive in the long run but that does not automatically imply that the enamel has been destroyed.
Who Should Not Have Teeth Whitening?
Whitening may not be appropriate to all people despite its safety.
The teeth whitening is not normally recommended in case of:
- Children who are below a certain age.
- Pregnant women and breastfeeding women.
- Individuals who have not undergone treatment on their dental issues.
- Severely eroded patients.
- Patients who have extremely sensitive teeth.
- Whitening is also not as effective in patients who have:
- Dental crowns, Veneers on front teeth fillings.
Such restorations fail to react to whitening in a similar manner as natural teeth. Due to this, there is a risk of the treated teeth turning lighter leaving the restorations the same color.
Dental consultation may assist in deciding whether this is the right thing to do by whitening or what outcomes can be achieved realistically.
Whitening by the professionals and home methods.
On the internet, numerous do-it-yourself whitening techniques are advertised such as baking soda, charcoal, lemon juice, and other home remedies.
Such ways are not necessarily safe.
As an example, acidic components like lemon juice may erode the enamel, whereas abrasive components like charcoal may slowly wear down the surface of the tooth.
In spite of the fact that these methods might seem to bring about short-term effects, they have the potential of predisposing the teeth to staining and sensitivity in the long run.
Professional whitening is typically the safest and more efficient as it is founded on tested materials and specific to a particular patient.
How to Keep Teeth White After Treatment
Once the results are whitened, it is then essential to maintain them.
The duration of the whitening process is determined by lifestyle and oral care.
Patients may contribute to maintaining the brightness of their teeth by:
- Flossing and brushing teeth.
- Restricting coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco.
- Taking staining drinks using a straw.
- Attending the dentist to have checkups.
Touch-up whitening procedures can also be suggested sometimes basing on the individual needs of the patient.
Final Thoughts
The process of teeth whitening is considered to be safe especially when it is conducted correctly and in the direction of a dental expert. Although temporary sensitivity and mild irritation might be experienced, these effects do not last long.
A dental check-up is the surest way to start with. This assists in ensuring that the teeth and gums are in good health so that they can be whitened and the treatment can be customized to the particular patient.
Despite the numerous home remedies and other over-the-counter products, professional whitening is by far the surest way of getting a result that will be noticeable and will not harm your oral health.At The Dental Venue, we are of the opinion that cosmetic treatments should help you to improve on your smile without affecting your dental health.
At The Dental Venue, we believe that cosmetic treatments should enhance your smile without compromising your dental health. Our staff offers safe and well-monitored teeth whitening services that are aimed at giving a natural appearance of the teeth, being comfortable, and giving a feeling of confidence.
