Teeth Whitening Problems

--Side Effects of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is a very common procedure today but can produce some undesirable side effects in conjunction with it.  There doesn’t have to be any pain or sensitivity associated with teeth whitening, but if you are one of those out there who experiences sensitivity read this to hopefully help you cope and try to eliminate the side effects of teeth whitening.   

            Fist, the material in the bleach that whitens the teeth is strong and can be very irritating to the gums and soft tissues of the mouth.  This is why I said in my previous article that you should try to avoid the product from getting on the gums.  If the product does spill over the tray and onto the gums, use your finger or a cloth to wipe away the excess.  Chemical burns can result if the gel is left on the surface for an extended period of time.  If you need to expectorate during the duration that the tray is in your mouth go ahead.  It is not advisable to swallow the product, so go ahead and spit if you need to.  

            Another side effect of teeth whitening is that the teeth may become sensitive.  Some people experience this much more than others.  One thing you can do is to make sure you are using a sensitivity-reducing toothpaste such as Sensodyne before, during and after whitening treatment.  Also if that doesn’t do a good enough job, you can stop whitening for a few days then re-start up again when the teeth are feeling better and less sensitive.  This will not cause the teeth to stop whitening, it will just take a little bit longer to achieve your desired result, but trust me this is definitely worth it.  I have very sensitive teeth when I whiten them, so I bleach for 2 days, stop for 1 or 2 and then start up again for 1 or 2 days until I am happy with my whiter teeth.  Make sure to use toothpaste for sensitive teeth, it does wonders!!   

            If the teeth continue to be sensitive during the whitening process, it could be an indication the nerve tissue inside a tooth is seriously aggravated.  You want to make sure that you don’t continue to harm the teeth as this could cause nerve damage.  Most people don’t ever get to this point, but some overzealous use could cause this.  If you are “addicted to teeth whitening” keep this in mind!  Also some bleaching products can wear away tooth enamel, especially with solutions that contain acid. Therefore, bleaching is a procedure best done under the care of an oral health care professional.
            The general health risks of bleaching systems are minimal as far as your body is concerned.  The dental health care professionals would not be supporting the whitening processes if it was that harmful to the teeth.  It is best to ask your dentist or dental hygienist about the entire teeth bleaching process and get the facts before starting any teeth whitening system.  A controlled procedure is recommended so that people can avoid any or all of these side effects.

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