If you want a brighter smile, you’re not alone. Teeth whitening is one of the most common cosmetic dentistry treatments around. It’s convenient, effective, and affordable, and it can deliver renewed confidence to help you live life to the fullest. But what are the risks of teeth whitening? Can teeth whitening products hurt your teeth? What is the healthiest way to whiten teeth?
Our team at Lake Baldwin Dental is here to answer all these questions and help you enjoy a rejuvenated smile with safe, effective teeth whitening near you in Orlando, FL!
Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
The short answer is yes, a tooth whitening procedure provided by a qualified professional is a safe and effective option to improve the shade of your teeth.
However, that doesn’t mean that all teeth whitening products are equally safe, and it doesn’t mean whitening your teeth is completely without risk. There are a few common side effects, and teeth whitening (especially DIY teeth whitening hacks) can come with risks in some cases.
1. Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity is the most common side-effect of whitening treatments whether you opt for a professional teeth whitening procedure, over-the-counter whitening products, or DIY hacks for whitening teeth at home.
Whitening products that need to be used daily can cause less intense but lingering sensitivity that lasts until you stop using the product. At-home teeth whitening hacks frequently involve abrasive agents that can scrape away a superficial layer of enamel or damage your gums, leading to more sensitive teeth long-term.
One of the major benefits of seeing us for a professional teeth whitening procedure in Baldwin Park is that this sensitivity is predictable and temporary. We also provide prescription-strength antisensitivity products that minimize sensitivity and ensure your teeth return to normal as quickly as possible.
2. Irritated Gums
Most effective teeth whitening products include peroxide-based ingredients to break down pigment within the tooth. If these ingredients sit on the gums, they can cause redness, burning, or soreness. This is a more common issue with ill-fitting teeth whitening trays that aren’t custom made to fit your teeth precisely.
Leaving whitening products on your teeth longer than directed can increase this risk and even lead to chemical burns in extreme cases. Similarly, abrasive whiteners like charcoal can scrape and abrade the gums, and even increase the risk of gum recession over time.
Custom whitening trays made by a dentist ensure that teeth whitening products stay on the teeth and minimize the risk of gum irritation.
3. Enamel Erosion
Professional teeth whitening procedures use ingredients that are safe for your enamel, making it one of the safest options for your oral health. Unfortunately, at-home teeth whitening hacks frequently involve putting acids (like lemon juice or apple cider vinegar) and abrasives (like baking soda or charcoal) on your teeth.
While these DIY approaches may make your teeth look whiter, it’s important to understand that they do this by removing minerals from the surface of your enamel. Stripping down your enamel repeatedly in this way can lead to significant erosion and oral health risks. Not to mention making your teeth look darker in the long run as the dentin inside your tooth gets closer to the surface!
Are Whitening Strips Safe?
In most cases (and provided they’re used properly according to the manufacturer’s instructions), whitening strips are generally considered safe. In fact, we frequently recommend them for younger patients (like older teens after they finish orthodontic treatment) or people who just want a gentle refresh and don’t need a significant shade-change.
However, that doesn’t mean whitening strips are safe for everyone. Avoid using whitening strips or over-the-counter teeth whitening products until you talk to a dentist if you have:
- Untreated cavities
- Gum disease
- Cracked or worn-down teeth
- Gum recession that exposes your tooth roots
- Chronic tooth sensitivity
- Restorations like fillings or crowns that show when you smile
You should also avoid whitening your teeth if you’re pregnant, breast feeding, undergoing cancer treatment, or suffer with chronic acid reflux or dry mouth.
Is Peroxide Safe for Teeth?
Most effective, professional teeth whitening products use either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to break down stains and other dark molecules within the teeth.
These specialized formulas hold specialized peroxide formulations directly on the teeth without allowing it to affect the rest of the mouth. These products are effective because they’re more highly concentrated than the hydrogen peroxide you probably have under the bathroom sink.
Dangers of Using Household Peroxide on Teeth
If teeth whitening products brighten enamel using peroxide, it stands to reason that swishing hydrogen peroxide should whiten your teeth, too, right? Unfortunately, this is a common myth that can spell disaster for your oral health.
Swishing hydrogen peroxide is unlikely to significantly change the shade of your teeth. What it can do is hurt your gums and make your teeth more sensitive. It can also upset the balance of microbes in your mouth and allow harmful bacteria to grow out of control or lead to a condition called black hairy tongue.
Important: NEVER put undiluted hydrogen peroxide in your mouth. It can cause chemical burns, necrosis of the tissues inside your mouth, and even damage to your internal organs if you accidentally swallow it.
We’re Here to Help You Enjoy a Brighter Smile with Safe Teeth Whitening in Baldwin Park!
We understand how important it is to love your smile, but your confidence doesn’t need to come at the cost of your oral health. Our team at Lake Baldwin Dental proudly provides a safe and effective teeth whitening procedure in Orlando, FL to give you glowing results in just one visit. We also provide custom teeth whitening trays for a gentle approach so you can whiten your teeth at home.
We offer KöR teeth whitening and Phillips Zoom! whitening systems. These are both trusted brands backed by extensive research to make them safe and effective. If you have any questions or concerns about how to safely whiten your teeth, we’re happy to help. Get in touch with our team to schedule your consultation for teeth whitening in Baldwin Park today!