The Long-Term Effects of Teeth Whitening
The first thing people notice about you quite often is your smile. Flashing your teeth white is a great way to leave a long-lasting impression. Maintaining clean and strong teeth comes with brushing and flossing your teeth regularly. However, even with excellent oral hygiene, various foods and beverages like coffee and soda can cause teeth staining.
This is the main reason why teeth whitening treatments are popular. Teeth whitening treatments are found in many forms; you can do it at home or through a registered dentist. Whitening helps brighten your smile by removing some of the stainings from meals and drinks. In addition, many kinds of toothpaste, chewing gums, mouthwashes, and rinses helps whiten your teeth.
However, since there are so many treatments out there, there are those not supported by major dental organizations like Canton Crossing Dental. As a result, many questions are asked about whether the solutions may cause problems. According to several studies, the risk of side effects is higher through DIY treatment than those done by professional dentists.
Home whitening kits can damage your teeth by stripping the outer coating of your teeth away. This coating is called enamel.
What is Enamel?
Enamel is the most vital tissue in the body, even harder than the bones. The enamel is the outermost layer that protects your teeth from decay. This coating can be strengthened and maintained by your dentist and flossing and brushing. However, if you brush too vigorously, your enamel can erode prematurely. In addition, certain foods that are highly acidic such as juices, dairy products, processed foods, and sauces, can weaken the enamel.
The loss of enamel causes problems that need you to visit our dentist in Baltimore, MD, for treatment because once the enamel is lost, it’s gone for good. The loss of enamel is caused by some of the DIY treatments, which can weaken your enamel irretrievably.
Some of the side effects of over-the-counter whitening applications include:
Gum Irritation
When plaque builds up, your gum and teeth meet, causing gum irritation. The plaque buildup is often caused by poor brushing habits and excessively jabbing at the teeth with a toothpick. Certain teeth whitening kits can lead to gum irritation due to high peroxide concentrations, which is used as the bleaching agent. Gum irritation shows itself in several ways, such as burning sensations, bleeding, and sensitivity to cold. Specific DIY whitening kits contain potentially dangerous levels of hydrogen peroxide. This’s one of the reasons you should come for teeth whitening in Baltimore, MD, where we offer high-quality services to help prevent side effects like gum irritation after the procedure.
Heightened Sensitivity
The inside of your teeth has nerves known as pulp. This tissue is noncalcified. When the enamel becomes weak, it can make your teeth more sensitive to cold and hot temperatures of drinks and food, causing discomfort. Also, acidic foods can trigger sensitivity.
Uneven Whitening
You may have a bridge, cap, or crown due to loss of teeth. Unfortunately, the shade used for these dental restorations is often immune to bleaching. That means that it will likely be replaced to match the lighter color of the rest of your teeth. This step can be expensive, inconvenient, and time-consuming. In addition, this can lead to uneven whitening.
Your Teeth Could Become Inflamed
Whitening and bleaching your teeth can cause inflammation in the pulp of the teeth. This can happen quite often when your teeth have cracks or breakages.
Your Stomach or Throat May Hurt
You should avoid swallowing the bleaching agent during the teeth whitening procedure. This irritates your stomach and throat, leading to serious medical complications in some cases.
Experiencing Discomfort if You Have Sensitive Teeth
If you experience pain while eating or your teeth are already sensitive, you may experience some discomfort when a bleaching agent is applied to the surface of your teeth. Ensure you inform your dentist about the sensitivity so that they can recommend some products such as special toothpaste to reduce the risk of discomfort and make you feel more comfortable during the procedure.
Typically, some side effects go away within 48 hours after the procedure. Ensure you talk to your dentist about the steps you should take to curb the short- and long-term effects of teeth whitening.