Most people are concerned about making their teeth white but how many of those are ever thought about the potential danger in teeth whitening procedures. To be fair, yes there is a potential risk of chemical reaction to your mouth tissue and teeth.

By and large the potential risk can be minimized and nothing to be worried about but worth looking into.

3 Potential Dangers in Whitening Your Teeth

1) For those people who have sensitive gums and soft mouth tissue, they could respond negatively to the chemicals solutions such as carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide that are normally used in tooth whitening procedures.

Special precaution should be taken if you try to apply these chemicals by yourself at home. Be sure that the chemicals are only in contact with your teeth but not other mouth tissue.

The risk is minimized if you get the dental professional to do the work. Dental professionals have the necessary tools to prevent your teeth and other mouth tissues from the chemicals.

Some teeth whitening home kits do provide some protection tools such as mouth guard. Mouth guard does not work very well since it doesn’t fit everyone. It will not work with everyone, though some people may fit nicely.

2) After the whitening treatment, people with sensitive teeth could have the negative effect. This reaction is normally very noticeable when eating food while they too are hot or too cold such as ice cream.

3) If the chemicals (carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide) used in the procedure is swallowed, it could be dangerous to your health. Some people will have a reaction of stomach upset, nausea and vomiting.

Some case studies have shown that the use of hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening has been associated with the development of tongue cancer. While there is no conclusive or large enough sampling to quantify the claims but there is something to be aware off.

Sometimes, no matter what we try, we can’t keep our teeth completely white and stain-free. This is partially due to genetics, some lack of dental hygiene (ie brushing, flossing, etc) and what we eat and drink. We all eat lots of processed foods containing starches and sugars, and drink coffee, teas, and sodas that leave behind stains on our teeth. Over time, these stains become worked into the enamel, so even consistent brushing won’t do the trick. This is where teeth whitening products come in. Teeth whitening is a process that removes stains and restores you smile.

Teeth whitening can be done in several ways. Many of my patients have seen results from consistent use of whitening strips that assist in removing stains caused by plaque and tartar buildup. Plaque will build up over time on your teeth, making them harder and harder to clean. The whitening process can assist in dissolving accumulations on the surface of your teeth. Strips are only one way of doing it.

Sometimes it takes more than an ordinary teeth whitening process to cleanse your teeth – sometimes it take rather strong chemicals, in this case a form of bleach. The bleaching process creates a chemical reaction with the plaque and tartar, thus loosening the bond between the buildup and your teeth. If used too much, bleach will begin to eat away and destroy your tooth enamel. The substance that coats your teeth and attempts to keep plaque and bacteria from getting inside the tooth is called your tooth enamel. Always use any bleaching product according to the directions the manufacturer has supplied, and let your local dental know what products you are using.

The best method of teeth whitening is prevention. Make sure not to drink to much coffee, tea, or sweet drink. It’s all right to have these on occasion, but many people overdo consumption of these items. This causes harmful plaque and tartar buildup on the surface of your teeth. Excess plaque and tartar will result in tooth decay and gum disease if left untreated. Use a straw whenever you can. Using a straw will help the liquid move past your teeth without coating them.

Not only are white teeth a sign of good looks, they’re much healthier than stained or yellowed teeth. Removing tartar, plaque and the associated stains will give you a healthier mouth. Tooth whitening is a good alternative when stains crop up despite consistent oral hygiene. Caring for you teeth is always cheaper than repairing your teeth. There are many teeth whitening services and systems available, but all require consistent, regular use. You can check out my site AskTheDentalHygienist for more information.

Melissa is a Registered Dental Hygienist that has been practicing for more than 12 years in the same dental office. You can find more information about your dental health by visiting her site www.AskTheDentalHygienist.com.