Is Tooth Whitening 100% Safe?

They say a person’s best asset is their smile, but what if your smile shows an embarrassing stain? This is a seemingly common problem in the UK as experienced by the more than 100,000 Brits who tried tooth-whitening treatments last year. But what’s the real deal about tooth whitening?

Some critics claim teeth-whitening treatments as ineffective, costly, and even dangerous for human health. To investigate the grounds of these claims, let’s take a look at the different types of teeth-whitening treatments. There are two basic types: at-home treatments and in-office treatments. These methods obviously differ on who administers the treatment but usuallythe same chemicals are used. Let’s have a closer look:

At-home Whitening Treatments

There are three subtypes of at-home treatments: bleaching tray, bleaching strip, and whitening toothpaste. Bleaching tray is a customised tray made by a dentist through taking an impression of the patient’s teeth. This tray contains a bleaching chemical, most commonly hydrogen peroxide, which the patient needs to apply on his/her teeth for a week or two depending on the strength of the formula. There are also over-the-counter bleaching trays but since these are not custom-fit, it may lose its fit and risk burning of gums by the chemicals. If over-applied, the chemicals may weaken the teeth and burn the gums.

Bleaching strips work the same way as bleaching trays. These over-the-counter strips with hydrogen peroxide are applied to teeth for a certain period of time. This type of at-home treatment, however, has greater risks of burning gums since they can be moved more easily.

Lastly, whitening toothpastes contain abrasive elements that may whiten your teeth by a shade or two. Some allege, though, that these toothpastes are ineffective and may weaken teeth over time. These claims have not been proved by any scientific studies.

The dangers involved in using at-home whitening treatments largely lies on the user’s ability to follow instructions and carefully administer the treatments. If you will use these methods, make sure to apply only the necessary amount on the recommended duration.

Further, and this is extremely important, you should consult a professional dentist in Richmond first before trying any at-home treatments. This is because you have to have healthy teeth with no cracks or damages so that the chemical solution will not seep into your teeth. Also check if you have any gum diseases. If any irritation or allergic reaction occurs, contact an emergency dentist Richmond.

In-office Whitening Treatments

The latest in-office treatment is what we call laser treatment, a method wherein a hydrogen peroxide solution is applied onto the patient’s teeth and exposed to a strong light to accelerate the bleaching process. This treatment is highly effective as it can lighten your teeth by 11 shades within an hour. It will cost you more than £600, though.

Some people experience sensitivity and/or gum irritation after laser treatments, though these side effects are usually short-lived. There are no other known problems caused by laser treatments or any in-office treatments of tooth whitening Richmond. 

In all cases, dentists discourage dental bleaching for pregnant and lactating women. Not enough studies show if teeth-whitening procedures have negative effects on babies, so it pays to stay on the safe side.

Now we’ve seen that teeth-whitening treatments are generally safe if administered carefully and responsibly. Just make sure to follow experts’ advice and you’re good to go.