Have you ever wondered if there are any harmful effects to your teeth when you whiten them? If so, you’re not alone. I am frequently asked this question by patients at my Queen Creek dental office. The good news is that when dentist-recommended tooth whitening products are used correctly, there is no known long or short-term harm to teeth.
Tooth whitening systems that would be used or prescribed by
a dentist typically use hydrogen peroxide as the active ingredient. As opposed to tooth whitening toothpastes
which only remove stains on the exterior of your teeth, hydrogen peroxide based tooth whitening
systems can remove both the stains on the interior and exterior of your
teeth. The stains inside your teeth were
acquired during the development of those teeth and were influenced by
environmental factors you were exposed to at that time such as tetracycline use
or extremely high amounts of fluoride in drinking water. The stains on the outside of your teeth are
ones you’ve accumulated from substances you’ve put in your mouth such as ketchup,
soy sauce, berries, wine, coffee, tea and smoking.
A study in the June 2012 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association
looked at the percentage of tooth
demineralization on patients after whitening their teeth. The samples that were taken from these
people’s teeth showed that no demineralization (or damage) happened as a result
of the whitening process.
One thing to remember though is to use moderation in all
things. Anything can be detrimental if
overdone. Excessive whitening or bleaching
for prolonged periods of time have not yet been fully studied and should be
avoided. Ask your dentist what they
recommend as an appropriate amount for you.
One possible down-side of whitening is that it can make your
teeth sensitive. This is particularly a
problem when the bleaching solution reaches exposed tooth roots (i.e. gum
recession) or irritates the gums themselves.
Here are some suggestions to help avoid sensitivity:
·
Talk to your dentist before starting either an
in-office, take home tray, or OTC whitening regimen
·
Certain fluoride treatments have been shown to
decrease sensitivity
·
A product called Amorphous Calcium Phosphate
(ACP) can also help
·
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory medications
(like Motrin or Aleve) can help
·
Make sure the tray or strips you are using do
not cover your gums
So now that you know the facts, you can feel comfortable
pursuing that dazzling smile you’ve been dreaming of. There are lots of options out there so
consult your dentist and find the best method for you. I would be happy to answer any other
questions here or at my Queen Creek dental office (480-888-8123). You can also find our office on the web at www.mathesondentistry.com
For more information on the safety and effectiveness of
tooth whitening products visit www.ada.org/1902.aspx
To see some videos about whitening visit www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/w/whitening.aspx
Post by Dr Alex Matheson of Matheson Dentistry
