There is nothing wrong with wanting a bright white smile. The desire for whiter teeth has led many people to turn to teeth whitening products. There are two different ways that people typically engage in teeth whitening.
They can get it done professionally in our office or they can turn to home teeth whitening products. If you do choose to do it at home, you need to understand the risks associated with it and make sure that you do not make any mistakes that could cause more damage than good.
Teeth Whiteners Are Chemicals
The way that teeth whiteners work is fairly simple. You are applying some type of chemical to the front of your teeth to bleach them. When done properly with the right chemicals, the products are safe to use. When you turn to the wrong products or don’t use them right, you are putting your teeth and health in danger.
The two most common chemicals used for whitening are hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. When carbamide peroxide is in the mouth, it breaks down to a combination of hydrogen peroxide and urea. The hydrogen peroxide is the bleaching agent that is the same chemicals people use to bleach their hair.
What Makes The Chemicals Dangerous?
The two chemicals are safe for use with teeth whitening if used properly. The risks come when the chemicals are too strong for your teeth. Ingesting bleach can cause a variety of problems by burning the mouth and other areas the chemicals touch.
If DIY teeth whitening products are properly used, they are safe and can help whiten your teeth. When you use them for longer than you should or if you use more than you should or you turn a product that is too strong, you are putting your teeth and your health at risk. If you use them too often because you think you can get your teeth a little whiter, you are also at risk for problems with your teeth that include decay, cracking, chipping and gum disease. You are weakening your teeth and gums when you use DIY teeth whitening improperly. It is never worth the risk.
The best way to whiten your teeth is through professional whitening in our office. We have the knowledge and the products that can do the best job. Professional teeth whitening gets the teeth whiter and is safer than trying the DIY methods. Call us so we can set up a time for you to come in and get a whiter smile.