Dangers of Tooth Whitening Chemicals and Treatments
Teeth whitening kits can cause a variety of problems. Problems
can occur in accidentally swallowing the bleaching product,
faster decay and damaging gums.
The peroxide used in teeth whitening can cause damage to the
nerves and the fleshy tissue in your gums. When the nerves are
damaged, you will have an increased sensitivity to hot and cold
sensations. Laser teeth whitening is not much better; the
peroxide is still applied to the teeth, only this time the laser
causes it to penetrate more deeply into the tooth. Laser teeth
whitening can cause even more damage than just applying a
tooth-whitening product to the surface. These problems, if left
untreated can lead to tooth decay and in rare cases sometimes
loss of the tooth altogether.
The mouth is a very sensitive area of the body. The harsh
chemicals involved in teeth whitening should be a last resort
after you have tried over the counter treatments such as
toothpastes. However, there are a few precautions you can follow
to ensure that the whitening process goes smoothly. First, if
you have any current problems with your teeth, wait until they
are taken care of by a dental professional before whitening your
teeth. Never start the process with open wounds in your mouth,
such as stitches or ulcers. This can lead to worse problems than
you started with, and the chemicals can eat away at the tissue
and cause a great deal of pain.
An alternative to chemical teeth whitening is having veneers put
on your teeth. Many patients have opted to go this route,
despite its cost, and have been very pleased with the results
they have achieved. In addition, many celebrities achieve their
seemingly perfect smile through veneers rather than chemical
teeth whitening. These will remain white and are not porous like
your regular teeth. They come in a variety of materials and
while they do tend to cost more than teeth whitening treatments,
the upside is they last a great deal longer than the results you
achieve from a chemical tooth whitening process.