Teeth Whitening: Can It Harm Your Oral Health?

Nothing puffs up confidence than having a Hollywood smile. A picture-perfect smile will always light up a room. This is why countless people are seeking different ways of brightening their smiles. More than ever, people have become more aware of the benefits of the teeth whitening in Houston.

The reason is that we have come to understand that there are lots of foods and habits that we have as a generation that will dull the shine in your smile. But as you wish to seek teeth whitening in Westchase, you may be wondering whether it is safe or not. If you are concerned about teeth whitening near you, read on to find out more.

Is Teeth Whitening Harmful to Your Teeth?

Teeth whitening is not a new cosmetic treatment. It has been done throughout the centuries and has been improving over the decades. There are different options for whitening your teeth that range from professional teeth whitening to whitening products found in your local store.

Millions of people are using teeth whitening products across the country. All the whitening products available in the market have been approved by the American Dental Association (ADA), meaning that they are safe.

However, they are not devoid of side effects that sometimes may affect some people, especially if teeth whitening has not been properly done. Some of the issues associated with teeth whitening are:

Tooth Sensitivity

Carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are among the most common bleaching agents in almost all teeth whitening products. Even though you go for in-office teeth whitening or get your product from the local stores, expect them to have a high level of these bleaching agents.

One of the issues that might arise when you apply these bleaching agents is tooth sensitivity. This might occur may be due to the inflammation of the dental pulp during the treatment. However, tooth sensitivity will go away on its own, but if it takes longer, you can try employing the following methods:

• Wearing trays for a shorter time
• Brushing with toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth
• Pausing teeth whitening until your teeth adapt
• Seeking fluoride treatment

Gum Irritation

As mentioned before, bleaching agents have a high level of hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. If these bleaching agents touch your gums, you may experience some irritation. This is why our dentist takes extra precautions to ensure that your gums are covered.

How Will You Safely Whiten Your Teeth?

It’s an excellent idea to brighten your smile. However, you need to ask yourself whether you want to do it at home or you will come to our office and have it done professionally. The primary difference between the two methods is the amount of bleaching agent used.

In-office teeth whitening uses higher concentrations of the bleaching agent. However, don’t fret! When it’s professionally done, you don’t need to worry about experiencing adverse side effects.

On the other hand, if you choose to go the DIY route, then you will have a plethora of options that you can choose from. Each of them has a set of specific instructions that you need to follow.

In any case, before you lunge, do the following:

• Talk to Our Dentist

When seeking teeth whitening in Houston, talk to our dentist before you decide to try out any option. Our dentist will evaluate your oral health and deal with any issues that might hinder teeth whitening, such as tooth decay and gum disease. Plus, you can receive appropriate information on the best teeth whitening treatment that might be appropriate in your scenario.

• Search For the ADA Seal of Acceptance

It’s best if you look for the seal of acceptance because this means that the product has been reviewed and has been deemed fit for use. In other words, these products are safe and effective.

• Follow the Instructions

Every product has a set of instructions that will ensure that the product is safe and effective. Incorrect use or overuse may have undesired side effects that can harm your oral health.

The Takeaway

Generally, tooth whitening is safe. However, you need to follow the instructions to ensure that you get the best results. But the procedure is not recommended for nursing mothers and pregnant women. If you fall in this category, ask for alternatives.

Contact us at Glennis Katzmark DDS if you need teeth whitening in Westchase.