There’s no shortage of so-called at-home oral care “hacks” that regularly make their rounds on social media. At-home teeth whitening solutions are one particularly common subject of these viral videos. Unfortunately, the at-home teeth whitening kits and teeth whitening tips shared on TikTok and other social media platforms typically do more harm than good.
Before you invest in any teeth whitening products, learn the dangers of at-home teeth whitening from the experts at Blair Dental.
At-Home Teeth Whitening Kits
If you walk through the oral care aisle of your local grocery store or pharmacy, you’ll notice there’s a lot more than just toothpaste and toothbrushes. In recent years, teeth whitening kits sold over the counter have become increasingly popular. While these teeth whitening kits can be effective in the short term, they are often overused and can cause significant issues in the long run.
Teeth Whitening Safety Concerns
The overuse of teeth whitening kits can cause several oral health issues. Here are some teeth-whitening safety concerns to be aware of:
Gum Irritation
A common ingredient in at-home teeth whitening kits is peroxide. Peroxide can cause damage and irritation to the gums, especially if teeth whitening kits are overused. This can cause the gums to become red and more sensitive than usual.
Increased Sensitivity
With the use (and overuse) of teeth whitening kits, peroxide can also cause the teeth themselves to become increasingly sensitive, causing pain when they come into contact with hot and cold food and beverages.
Chemical Burns
Not all whitening kits are created equally or regulated properly. In one instance, 20 out of 36 home whitening products that were tested were found to contain illegal levels of the bleaching chemical hydrogen peroxide. When teeth whitening products contain higher than recommended levels of this chemical, severe chemical burns can occur in the mouth.
Consult Your Dentist
The safest way to approach teeth whitening is to involve your dentist in the process. At your regular appointment, talk to your dentist about your teeth whitening concerns. With their professional knowledge, they may be able to recommend a safe, at-home teeth whitening kit or schedule a professional teeth whitening appointment in the office.
The Family Dental Center of Blair offers professional, in-office teeth whitening services. Our process is pain-free, simple, and, most importantly, safe for your oral health. In as little as 45 minutes, your teeth can end up as much as eight shades lighter!
To avoid all of the dangers of at-home teeth whitening and enjoy a healthy, beautiful smile, call us today to find out more about our teeth whitening services.
