Why whitening teeth is bad

Dentists can also help you whiten your teeth at home. Your dentist may be able to make you custom-fit trays to fit into your mouth.

You will add a gel to it and wear the tray 30 minutes to 1 hour a day as recommended by your dentist for a few weeks to whiten your teeth. You can purchase over-the-counter OTC whitening products to help with stained teeth. Unlike products administered by a dentist, these products have no carbamide peroxide, or, much less than the products dentists use.

This means that if your teeth are intrinsically discolored, OTC teeth whiteners may not work as effectively or may take longer to whiten your teeth. Rather, these toothpastes target the surface of your teeth with a variety of substances, including abrasives and the chemical blue covarine.

It may take time for whitening toothpastes to work, but those with blue covarine may be effective after just one brush because the chemical makes your teeth appear whiter. You can also purchase over-the-counter whitening strips for your teeth.

These contain a smaller amount of hydrogen peroxide than professional products. You apply them one or two times a day to your teeth for a set period of time as indicated by the manufacturer. A variety of whitening strip products are available, each at varying concentrations of bleaching agent. You may be curious about using homemade methods to whiten teeth.

Activated charcoal is one such treatment. These methods are not scientifically proven to whiten teeth and should be discussed with a dentist before trying them. You may damage your teeth if you use these methods without first consulting a dentist. Looking for more info? Consider this guide for which teeth whitening option is best for you. Keep in mind that you cannot whiten your teeth on a permanent basis. Also keep in mind that these products are for natural teeth.

Bacteria exposure from sugar, starches, or acidic substances threatens your enamel. Enamel is the toughest tissue, but it is not indestructible.

To avoid tooth enamel loss, here are a few prevention methods to consider. The easiest way to prevent enamel damage is to avoid sugary and acidic fruits and beverages. These types of foods are the most damaging substances to your enamel.

When these foods stick to your teeth, it interacts with bacteria to produce a lactic acid that eats away at the healthy minerals. This process will cause the enamel to break down. If you eat sugary food, try to avoid overly hard candies. Hard food such as warheads, lollipops, or ice can damage your enamel by causing cracks or chips. Try sucking on hard candies when you indulge in them instead of biting on them. Here are the most common external factors that can cause enamel breakdown.

In addition to external environmental factors, you can damage your tooth enamel by internal factors. Some of the most common causes of damaging tooth enamel are friction or wear and tear.

Friction most commonly occurs in your sleep when you clench or grind your teeth. The physical wear and tear of the tooth enamel happens when you brush your teeth too hard, improper flossing, or biting on hard objects.

Fun fact: The biggest defense against damaging your teeth enamel is your saliva. Similarly, at-home trays are customized to fit your teeth, so as little whitening gel touches your gums as possible. If you still experience any issues, the irritation should heal on its own. Tooth sensitivity is another common side effect of all forms of teeth bleaching. According to the ADA, sensitivity is possibly due to the pulp's inflammation from peroxide exposure during the treatment.

Many factors may influence the severity of the sensitivity, including the peroxide concentration, the presence of restorations, or even the intensity of light use. The sensitivity may resolve on its own, but if not, you can try:. Some research suggests that whitening treatments may have adverse effects on dental restorations.

However, these effects depend on the type of material used. The peroxide may accelerate the amount of mercury leached from dental amalgam, depending on the concentration of peroxide used, time of application, and age of the dental amalgam. However, the concentration of mercury leached is still below a level associated with possible health concerns. Plus, other materials — like the ones used for crowns and implants — show the best resistance to peroxide.

If you're concerned about the effects of whitening treatments on your dental restorations, talk to your dentist about the best option. If you are interested in taking the next steps toward a whiter smile, follow these steps to safely use teeth whitening products. Step One: Talk to your dentist. Your dentist can evaluate your tooth health and address any issues — like cavities or gum disease — before you start a whitening protocol. They also can advise on the best whitening treatment and answer any of your questions.

The ADA has reviewed independent studies and approved many whitening toothpastes and some whitening strips for safety and effectiveness.

Step Three: Follow product instructions. Each product comes with a unique set of instructions for the duration and frequency of use. Overuse or incorrect use of the product may put you at higher risk for side effects like gum irritation or tooth sensitivity. Is teeth whitening safe? Yes, it can be. Simply handle your whitening protocol like any medical treatment — listen to your dentist, follow instructions, and watch for unwanted side effects.