Whiter teeth mean a more confident smile. Many people from across the country desire having whiter teeth to give themselves a confidence boost when smiling or talking to people. As a result, there are now many products on the market that have been especially created to help whiten teeth. Toothpastes, mouthwashes, dental strips and many other DIY whitening products are available for people to use. There are also over-the-counter DIY whitening kits that are similar in application to the teeth whitening procedures performed by cosmetic dentists. Before using any of these, however, it would be best to consult your dentist and find out if it would be safe and suitable for you. Unfortunately, using DIY teeth whitening kits may have less than ideal results.
One of the biggest concerns of dentists is the hydrogen peroxide and bicarbonate content of DIY whitening kits. These two are very abrasive substances which could erode the teeth’s enamels (the protective layer of the teeth) if not used properly. This will make the teeth more vulnerable and weak against extreme temperatures and acids, thus resulting in extreme pain. Many people have suffered from teeth sensitivity and gum burns after trying DIY teeth whitening.
People who use these kits should also be careful about gum infection, which could lead to gum disease. A high level of hydrogen peroxide content could damage the gums, which could then lead to gum infection. Dentists are also worried about swallowing and ingesting certain whitening substances, which could burn the throat and stomach.
Furthermore, DIY whitening can have spotty results. In an in-office procedure, the dentist makes use of custom-fitted trays molded from the patient’s teeth. As the dental trays in DIY kits are not customized, they don’t normally fit well with the patients’ teeth, leading to uneven whitening. Furthermore, teeth with fillings or which have been treated with a root canal will not bleach or whiten in the same way as untreated teeth.
Instead of risking your safety or getting unsatisfactory results by using DIY whitening kits, seek professional whitening from cosmetic dentistry practitioners like F. Anthony Rich, DDS, in Newport Beach. In a dentist-supervised procedure, the amount of whitening substances used is controlled and gradually applied to avoid untoward results. Also, the dentist would know if the patient’s teeth are too sensitive for any of the whitening substances and may thus use another material or recommend another procedure. The use of custom-fitted trays also minimize the risk of uneven whitening.
DIY kits may be cheaper, but only professional whitening by a trusted dentist can give you the best and safest results.
Sources:
The ultimate guide to risks associated with DIY teeth whitening, medlicker.com
Warning over DIY tooth bleaching kits, dailymail.com
The dangers of DIY Teeth Whitening, oralhealthgroup.com
Sales assistant, 22, had hole burned in his throat and nearly died after using tooth whitening kit, dailymail.co.uk