Rules for Teeth Whitening

According to the Food and Drug Administration, teeth whitening is a cosmetic process that can be done at home and does not require a dentist. At home whitening treatments can remove stains on teeth and create a brighter smile. Whitening teeth also can weaken tooth enamel and cause other unwanted side effects, whether you do it at home or have a professional whiten your teeth.

Understand the risks

• Some whitening toothpastes can be too abrasive.

  Whitening teeth weakens tooth enamel, which can make your teeth more susceptible to cracking and breaking. This can happen whether you whiten at home or at the dentist's office. Besides teeth bleaching, some teeth whitening toothpastes contain abrasives that can thin out tooth enamel. People with cavities, chipped or cracked teeth, or abrasions on the gums should avoid teeth whitening, as it can aggravate these conditions. Those with naturally sensitive teeth should carefully weigh the decision to whiten teeth, as they're more susceptible to the tooth pain whitening can cause.

Avoid ingesting the whitening gel

• Pregnant women should avoid teeth whitening.

  Whitening gel contains ingredients that can irritate the stomach if ingested. Avoid getting teeth whitening gel inside your mouth, as it can cause nausea and vomiting. Pregnant women should avoid teeth whitening, since ingesting the gel can cause problems in the teeth of a fetus.

Use custom fit dental trays

• Custom-fitted dental trays can prevent being harmed by whitening gel.

  Teeth whitening kits often use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, chemicals that can cause burns or sores inside the mouth. Using custom-fit dental trays ensure that the teeth whitening gel does not leak out and cause the unwanted side effects that ingesting the gel can cause. Dentists can fit patients for dental trays to whiten their teeth at home.

Avoid foods and drinks that stain and damage teeth

• Avoid food and drinks that can stain teeth after whitening

  Avoid food and drinks that stain and damage teeth before and after you whiten them. Whitening teeth often causes tooth sensitivity, so hot coffee and cold ice cream can aggravate this effect. Also, avoid smoking, sodas and coffee after whitening to avoid staining your teeth.

Consider laser teeth whitening by a dentist

• Laser teeth whitening produces immediate results.

  Laser teeth whitening done by a dentist is expensive and can cost $1,000 or more. But patients see dramatic results within an hour. Dentists take extra care and precautions to prevent lips, gums and teeth from being damaged by whitening gels. The results are not permanent, but teeth are noticeably whiter after the procedure.