Teeth Bleaching Concerns

Teeth bleaching is a process that uses peroxide-based agents to make teeth whiter. Teeth bleaching can be done at a dentist's office or at home using specialized kits. For the most part, teeth bleaching is an effective way to lighten the color of your teeth and give you a brighter smile, but there are some risks that you should consider before beginning.

Gum Irritation

• According to the article "Teeth Whitening: How it Works and What it Costs," by Linda Dyatt, gum irritation is a possible side effect of teeth bleaching. The irritation can be caused by chemicals in the bleaching mixture or by the positioning of the bleaching tray against the gums. If you develop gum irritation while bleaching your teeth at home, consult your dentist about the symptoms and determine if you can use a smaller amount of the peroxide solution. Dyatt says the irritation typically lasts up to several days, dissipating after the bleaching ends or the peroxide concentration is lowered.

Tooth Pain

• Another risk of teeth whitening is tooth sensitivity. Called "zingers," these sudden and intense pains occur after undergoing a teeth bleaching or whitening treatment. In "The Great White Hope: The Dangers of Teeth Whitening," Laurel Naversen Geraght says, "Researchers are also uncovering what may be the true hazard of whitening--a pursuit of bleached perfection that leads to overuse of these chemicals." So, the problem is not teeth whitening in itself, but that many people use the products far too often. To ensure that you don't experience any "zingers," make sure you only use a bleaching kit as directed in the instructions. Although using the product more often may give you whiter teeth, it can also result in severe pain.

"Technicolor Teeth"

• Another concern about teeth whitening is the occurrence of "Technicolor teeth." As described in Dyatt's article, "Technicolor teeth" results when someone who has veneers, crowns or other cosmetic dental work uses a teeth whitening system. More often than not, the whitening process works and the person's natural teeth appear whiter--but the artificial surfaces are not affected by the whiteners and do not become lighter in color, resulting in "Technicolor teeth."