Are their any Teeth Whitening Side Effects?
Whilst teeth whitening treatments have undergone stringent testing and clinical trials some people can experience side-effects when using them. As the active ingredient in most teeth whitening kits is Carbamide Peroxide; they are not recommended for use by children or anyone who is pregnant or nursing a child. These are, of course, sensible precautions as in the case of children their teeth are still developing and expectant or nursing mothers should generally avoid non-essential medications and treatments.
Two side-effects in particular are reported by adults using teeth whitening kits. One is an increase in the sensitivity of their teeth and an irritating sensation on the soft tissue in their mouth - the gums. Neither of these increases in sensation is to be unexpected as the mouth is one of the most sensitive parts of the body, which needs to adjust to what is after all a chemical being applied to it. Irritation of the gums can be caused by an excess of the whitening gel reaching the gums. If a trough is being used for the application of the gel it might need re-shaping. Alternatively, if strips or a brush are being used a more accurate application might be needed. Remember that the gel is intended to work on your teeth not the gums. In extreme cases, over exposure to a strong concentration of the peroxide gel can cause chemical burning to soft tissue in the mouth! So long as the sensitivity/irritation is mild and tolerable continuation with the whitening program is OK and should cease with a day or two of ending the treatment. However, if you are in discomfort you should cease using the gel and re-consider the strength and type of teeth whitener you are using.
The over-use of a strong gel solution can lead to other side effects. They can become over-bleached, having an unnatural whiteness to them known to dentists as ‘over white teeth’. A teeth whitening technique usually undertaken in a dentists known as Office Bleaching or Light Activated Whitening, this can have a re-bound effect which sees it losing up to 50% of its effectiveness within 30 days of being done. ie. There are eight shades of tooth whiteness and within 30 days you could slip back by four shades! Another side effect you won’t want to happen is damage to the enamel on your teeth. Although this is usually associated with acidic and abrasive teeth whiteners, prolonged use of peroxide compounds can also cause the enamel to break down.
Whilst anyone with a history of gum disease or generally poor teeth should consult a dentist before undertaking a course of teeth whitening treatment; there are some rare but potentially serious side-effects to using peroxide gel teeth whitening kits. Some individuals could be allergic to ‘peroxides’ in general, necessitating the avoidance of such teeth whitening preparations. Also, the compound Hydrogen Peroxide can promote the growth of cancerous cells; so anyone with a predisposition to oral cancers should again not use peroxide based kits.