Posted by : Nathan Long in (Teeth Whitening)
Tooth Whitening – Should You Risk It?
Tagged Under : cosmetic dentist, cosmetic dentistry, dentist, health, Teeth Whitening, Tooth Whitening
There are several different methods of tooth whitening that are widely used today. This article will take a look at how these processes work, what the options for treatment are, and the safety of each treatment. As with any medical or cosmetic procedure, there are risks and side effects that are possible. Pregnant women are advised not to undergo tooth whitening, should this apply to everyone else?
Tooth whitening products do of course have an effect on tooth enamel, and of course tooth enamel is crucial for protecting the inner core of teeth against wear and tear. The reason why teeth become stained is because when we chew food, the enamel starts to erode, and this leads to the formation of micro-cracks in which debris tends to collect.
Additionally, ageing and tooth trauma can also result in stains occurring on the interior of a person’s teeth. These stains can however be successfully removed with tooth whitening treatments, but with that said, they are quite difficult to remove, and they will often require extended treatment times.
The active ingredient in practically all tooth whitening solutions will either be carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. Basically, both these ingredients begin to break down when exposed to oxygen, and as a result, the stains to which they are applied will also begin to break down. When the solution is removed from the enamel, the stains can then be readily removed.
If you intend going for tooth whitening, you’ll find that there are generally three options available to you. The first option is an “in office” procedure which takes approximately one hour, during which you will have a concentrated peroxide gel applied to your teeth. The gel is then activated by means of a special blue light in order to speed up the oxidation process.
The second option is an “at home” treatment which uses a slightly less concentrated gel. The gel is then placed into custom made trays that fit over your teeth. These are then left in place for up to an hour each day. Over the counter treatments are of course the cheapest treatments and they’re also easily obtainable.
These treatments can be found at most drug stores, and of course they contain a much less concentrated solution. Over-the-counter treatments work best when used after a professional whitening treatment.
Irrespective of what you may have heard, all tooth whitening treatments carry similar risks and potential side effects. Even so, tooth whitening is known to be a very safe procedure if it’s done according to a dentist’s instructions, or according to the instructions that come with a particular product.
Tooth sensitivity and gum irritation are the most common side effects, but both of these conditions will disappear as soon as treatment stops.
People who experience tooth sensitivity can find relief by using an over the counter “sensitivity” toothpaste. In some cases however, people may also experience gum irritation and discomfort along the edges of their gums.
One should also try to avoid swallowing the peroxide gel, bearing in mind that it can be dangerous if you swallow more than the amount used in the average application. As with all medications, tooth whitening gel should be kept out of reach of children. If you do accidentally swallow a bit of gel, it won’t have any adverse affect on your body.
Damage to the tooth enamel is extremely rare, and in fact, it can be avoided altogether simply by following your dentist’s instructions. For example if the treatment is left on for longer than is needed, it can begin to erode the enamel, but fortunately this is something which can be fixed, simply by using remineralizing toothpaste.
There have been no findings of permanent tooth damage with any whitening treatment, and it is considered a safe procedure.
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