14Many individuals use over-the counter, at-home teeth whitening products so they can whiten their teeth at their own leisure and convenience. These products are cheap and easily available, and that’s why they are extremely popular. Unfortunately, popularity doesn’t guarantee safety, and there are lots of harmful whitening products out there that can hurt consumers.
If you’re thinking about using at-home teeth whitening products, know what you’re getting into before jumping in. You only get one set of teeth your entire life, and damaging them today could result in lifelong oral problems that you most certainly don’t want to have. Here are some tips on how to treat some of the common side effects that result from at-home teeth whitening product use.
Gum irritation from teeth whitening
Teeth whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. These can cause chemical burns, which can happen whether you have your teeth whitening procedure done at a Greenville, SC family dental health office or at home. The difference is dentists know how to keep chemical burns to a minimum so they cause the least amount of discomfort and pain. Dentists can also customize your teeth whitening treatment to suit your personal needs, which you won’t get from the one-size-fits-all approach of at-home teeth whitening products.
Teeth damage from teeth whitening
Improper application of teeth whitening products can permanently damage teeth. If teeth whitening is overdone, teeth can look translucent or discolored, which no amount of further teeth whitening can fix. The only option left to make the colors match is to replace the discolored tooth, which is not an option to take lightly.
Treating gum irritation
Once you start feeling a burning sensation with your over-the counter teeth whitening product, stop using it right away. Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater. If the burning persists, massage some vitamin E oil onto your gums until the irritation subsides.
Teeth whitening is safe when done right
What you need to realize that when you’re dealing with teeth, you’re also dealing with the surrounding live tissue that is your gums, which are easily irritated. That said, for the most part, teeth whitening is safe when done correctly. If you need teeth whitening done right, visit your Greenville, SC dentist.
Sources:
Are There Side Effects From Whitening Your Teeth?, VeryWell.com
Can Teeth Whitening Damage Gums?, RealSelf.com
