Over-the-counter teeth whitening products are easy to purchase, and they are often quite affordable. Plus, some of them are effective at treating mild stains within a relatively short period of time. However, OTC whitening does come with a few caveats, one of which is that it is easy to overuse. This blog post explores the dangers of excessive teeth whitening in Newington and provides safety tips on how to brighten your smile the right way.
Be Cautious When Whitening Your Teeth
Store-bought whitening products usually use peroxide to remove stains from teeth. The peroxide can penetrate the tooth enamel and break up pigment molecules. Used properly, these products usually do not cause any harm. However, overusing them with the desire to obtain a bright white smile can lead to adverse consequences, such as:
- Translucent teeth. Going overboard with whitening may make your teeth appear translucent, rather than white. Unfortunately, this issue is irreversible.
- Enamel erosion. Overexposure to peroxide-based products can cause the tooth enamel to become thin, which increases the risk of cavities and long-term dental sensitivity.
- Soft tissue irritation. Your gums and other soft tissues in your mouth may become inflamed and sore if they are exposed to whitening products too often or for extended periods of time.
Whitening Your Teeth Safely
Here are some tips you can use to whiten your smile in the safest way possible:
- Consult a professional. Your dentist can let you know whether it is safe to whiten your teeth, based on the current state of your teeth and gums, how long it has been since you last used a whitening product, and other factors.
- Choose the right product. If you choose to use an OTC product to whiten your teeth, be sure it has been approved by the American Dental Association. It would also be wise to read reviews and learn what ingredients a product uses.
- Consider professional whitening. Not only is professional teeth whitening quite safe, but it is also more powerful than OTC options. In fact, an in-office treatment can brighten your teeth by several shades in just one hour or so!
- Wait between touch-ups. You will need to touch up the results of whitening treatment once in a while. However, doing so too frequently can harm your teeth. Ask your dentist how often it is safe to use whitening products.
- Watch your diet. Avoiding overconsumption of dark foods and beverages can help you avoid new dental stains, which will extend the lifespan of your results from any teeth whitening treatment.
Teeth whitening is unlikely to harm you — if you do it the right way. Ask your dentist for advice on how you can brighten up your smile with minimal risk.
Meet the Practice
Family Dental Practice of Newington is home to a team of highly skilled general dentists and specialists. Both in-office and take-home professional whitening kits are available in our practice. If you have questions about how you can safely brighten your smile, we would be pleased to speak with you. Contact us at 860-856-6201.