Potential Risks of Whitening your Teeth

Generally teeth whitening procedures are not very dangerous and have fewer risks involved than other dental procedures. However, teeth whitening is not for everyone. Anyone under 16 years of age should not use teeth whitening products, and dentists will generally not prescribe professional teeth whitening procedures or products to minors.

Those who are allergic to teeth whitening chemicals such as peroxide should not consider using such products either. Any women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, as well as lactating women, should avoid bleaching procedures as well. Crowns, bridges, and veneers don’t work well with whitening. Have your teeth whitened before you get any caps or teeth filled.

Teeth whitening products often make sensitive gums even more sensitive, so beware of teeth whiteners if you have problems with this. If you have any type of gum disease, cavities, or worn enamel, you should also avoid teeth whitening procedures.

Other than these risks and warnings, teeth whitening is still a safe option for those who qualify.

There are a few different methods to teeth whitening. You can buy over-the-counter teeth whitening strips that you wear twice a day for 30 minutes. These have a much lower amount of peroxide and thus take much longer for results than their professional counterparts. The professional strips are available through a dentist and are a little more expensive. The dentist can also offer a fitted tray that you wear at night for a few weeks.

This tray contains a gel with peroxide, and covers all your teeth, unlike the strip which usually only covers the first 8 teeth. There are some problems found in using the tray however. Because of the prolonged contact with your teeth (all night long) your gums can develop a higher sensitivity which may cause serious discomfort in the mouth.

The last recommendation is the laser teeth whitening treatment. This procedure is far more expensive than the others, but has more immediate effects, and only takes an hour to perform. The laser teeth whitening procedure begins with a teeth cleaning, followed by the application of a peroxide gel, much like the gel found in the trays and strips.

This gel is light activated though, and after your teeth are coated, they are put under a laser until the procedure is complete.

If you would like to consider one of these treatment options, consult your dentist and see which one is right for you.