Teeth Bleaching Dangers

Teeth bleaching, or teeth whitening, is a popular cosmetic dental procedure, particularly for stained or discolored teeth. It is usually performed professionally in a dentist's office or with a bleaching kit in the privacy of the user's home. These teeth bleaching treatments are not without risk and may have some dangerous effects.
  1. Zingers

    • At-home teeth bleaching treatments that require the use of a mouth guard have been known to cause intense, sharp pains that dentists refer to as "zingers." These mouth guards are custom-fitted for each patient, and are used with a bleaching gel that contains 10 percent carbamide peroxide. The specific reason why this teeth bleaching method causes zingers is still unknown.

    Tooth Sensitivity

    • Heightened tooth sensitivity is another danger that may result from teeth bleaching. This sensitivity tends to cause pain and discomfort when you eat hot, cold or very sweet foods. This is usually a temporary danger. If your bleaching treatments cause sensitivity, your dentist can give you a desensitizing gel to apply a few minutes before each treatment, or just after.

    Gum Irritation

    • Irritation of the gum can result from the use of teeth whiteners. This is caused by the use of bleaching treatments that contain hydrogen peroxide. The irritation is usually mild to moderate, and it lasts for several days after the bleaching procedure. Prolonged use increases the severity of the gum irritation.

    Enamel Damage

    • Some home remedies that are used to bleach teeth rely on ingredients that contain high levels of acid. These ingredients include lemon juice and strawberries. While the acidic content in these ingredients have a bleaching effect, they can also be corrosive to the tooth enamel, damaging it. This damage can be permanent.

    Leakage

    • If the patient has a cracked tooth, a filling or a cavity, the bleach may leak into the tooth and damage the tooth's pulp. This causes severe pain to the patient. The dentist my have to perform a root canal on the damaged tooth.

    Oral Cancer

    • Bruce Davidson, MD, FACS, chairman of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at a Washington, D.C., hospital, says there may be a possible link between teeth whiteners and oral cancer, which affects the tongue and other soft tissues of the mouth. In a statement on the safety of tooth whiteners, the American Dental Association cites two reported cases of tongue cancer in patients who did not have any identifiable risk factors for cancer. The statement indicates, however, that no other studies have been conducted that show a link between teeth bleaching and cancer.

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