Disadvantages to Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening processes have come a long way in recent years. No longer do you have to go to the dentist to have your teeth whitened. You can now buy over-the-counter products to whiten your teeth at home. Teeth whitening is a safe process, but the disadvantages of whitening your teeth often occur because of misuse of over-the-counter products. You can minimize the risks of teeth whitening by following closely the instructions that were given with your product.

Damage

• One of the more common side effects of teeth whitening products involves soreness of the teeth and gum areas. Your mouth may have a negative reaction to chemicals such as bleach and therefore will hurt, especially if you have naturally sensitive teeth. Since the chemicals forcibly remove stains, they may remove tooth enamel as well, which also makes teeth more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures from foods and beverages. Pain caused by the chemical will continue to hurt until you stop using the product. Also, toothpastes that contain potassium nitrate help to reduce the sensitivity of whitened teeth to hot and cold temperatures.

Health

• Some teeth whitening products can pose health risks to your body. Using a bleaching tray that does not fit the alignment of your teeth may cause some bleach to spill out into your mouth. This may burn your mouth tissues and if you swallow it, you run the risk of an upset stomach, nausea, dizziness and vomiting. Perhaps the greatest disadvantage involves recent studies by Georgetown University that have linked the hydrogen peroxide in whitening gels to oral cancer by triggering the release of free radical cells. However, the new research has not proved the link between hydrogen peroxide and oral cancer, and further tests are required, according to the Dr. Chetan website.

Other Risks

• In addition to health-related issues, other disadvantages exist. Uneven whiteness may result from a chemical seeping into a cracked tooth or cavity. This will cause the chemical to over-whiten a tooth, making it much brighter than other teeth. Another risk becomes an obsession with whitening. A person may neurotically think her teeth need more whitening to the point that, according to John W. Siegal, DDS, it becomes a form of body dysmorphic disorder, where a person becomes consumed by physical appearance that it interrupts daily life. Dentists recommend whitening touch-ups every four to six months, but some people have their teeth whitened monthly.