Teeth Whitening kits can be tempting to use if you desire a brighter smile. Kits on the internet make big promises but could also be ineffective or have too much of the active ingredients causing tooth damage.
A study in the British Dental Journal looked at sodium chlorite, the active ingredient found in three teeth whitening products sold over the counter, could significantly reduce the hardness of teeth when there’s a presence of acid.
Other teeth whitening products use hydrogen peroxide for whitening. Some products being sold online were found to have illegal levels of the bleach. The worst offender had 300x the recommended amount. 20 of the 36 products were removed from the market but others still remain.
Not only will that much hydrogen peroxide damage your teeth, you could also damage your gums. If you damage your gum tissue or wear down the surface of your tooth too much, you could risk losing teeth.
Over the counter kits and whitening toothpastes can cause tooth sensitivity or might not even work.
Speak with your dentist before attempting any teeth whitening. They can help you make a plan to achieve a brighter, whiter smile. Dentists know what products are reputable to use at home. They can also give you tips to keep your teeth healthier and prevent more staining.
Getting your teeth regularly cleaned can help remove calculus build up and help teeth respond better to bleaching. Dentists can administer teeth whitening treatments that are both safe and more effective than anything available to use at home. You’ll avoid expensive damage to your teeth by using a dentist.
Pillar Dental has helped many patients with whitening their teeth and making their smile exactly what they want to see in the mirror. Reach out to Pillar Dental today to start working towards your ideal smile.