Professional teeth whitening can make your teeth up to 8 shades whiter in just one dental visit, significantly boosting the appearance of your smile. However, teeth whitening can be harmful in some cases. In this article, we discuss why over-whitening can harm your smile and the differences between professional and over-the-counter whitening.
Why Over-Whitening Can Harm Your Smile
The majority of teeth whitening methods use a bleaching agent (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) that temporarily makes your enamel more porous, allowing it to penetrate deeper and destroy the dark pigment.
While professional teeth whitening is considered safe, it still puts some strain on your enamel and requires a recovery period. Additionally, whitening can harm the gums. Over-whitening, using solutions that are too strong for your teeth, or excessively frequent whitening can lead to:
- Enamel erosion (once enamel is severely harmed, it can not “grow back” and becomes permanently damaged)
- Extreme tooth sensitivity: pain when teeth are exposed to hot or cold foods and drinks, or even air, and when brushing your teeth
- Tooth decay
- Irritated, burned, or inflamed gums.
- Gum recession (gums that pull away from the teeth)
- A translucent or patchy look of the teeth
- Teeth that are prone to staining and discoloration
To ensure the procedure is safe for your teeth and gums, teeth whitening should always be performed after a dentist’s careful examination of your teeth and gum condition. Some people may require more gentle solutions due to oral health concerns, while others may be advised to postpone the procedure, especially if gum disease or tooth decay are present or the enamel is weak.
Is At-home Teeth Whitening Safe
Whether or not at-home teeth whitening is safe depends on the type of procedure. Generally, at-home whitening kits provided by your dentist are safe, as an oral health examination is conducted prior to the procedure and your dentist selects a solution that will not harm your teeth or gums.
Over-the-counter whitening products, on the other hand, are generally never safe, as these products are never designed with your particular oral health considerations in mind. Additionally, you can overexpose your teeth to the whitening solution even if you follow the instructions closely, as you do not know how much of the bleaching agent your teeth can realistically tolerate. Thus, it is easy to irreversibly harm your teeth and gums using over-the-counter whitening products.
If you are considering teeth whitening, we strongly recommend consulting your dentist first to determine whether you are a good candidate for the procedure and to opt for a professional solution.
What to Do if You Harm Your Teeth and Gums with Teeth Whitening
If you notice burning or other unpleasant sensations during whitening, follow these steps:
- Stop whitening immediately.
- Rinse your mouth with warm water or saltwater to wash away any remaining bleach.
- Switch to a toothpaste for sensitive teeth with fluoride and a soft toothbrush
- Avoid hot, cold, spicy, and acidic foods and drinks
- Drink plenty of water to prevent dry mouth and help enamel repair
If tooth sensitivity and pain do not resolve within a couple of days, or if you notice severe gum irritation or tooth discoloration, make an appointment with your dentist immediately.
Get Safe Teeth Whitening at Highland Smiles
If you are considering teeth whitening, do not hesitate to make an appointment with an experienced cosmetic dentist at Highland Smiles. Our specialists will carefully examine the condition of your teeth and gums to determine whether the procedure is safe for you and which type of whitening will best meet your goals and needs. We are looking forward to your visit.
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