How Too Much At-Home Teeth Whitening Is Bad for Your Teeth
by Lonnie Bryant
If you plan to whiten your teeth at home in the near future, be aware that too much whitening can damage your teeth. When done correctly and in moderation, whitening is safe. Teeth whitening can also boost your confidence by giving you the smile you've always craved. However, if you overdo it, you could end up having to fork out for restorative dentistry to repair the damage.
Before you begin whitening your teeth, make sure you do a little research.
Over-Whitening Destroys Your Enamel
Always follow the instructions on the package when whitening your teeth. The whitening bleach in over-the-counter bleaching kits is weaker than the bleach provided by dentists during in-office whitening. However, don't assume that this means you can leave your whitening trays in for longer than recommended.
The hydrogen peroxide in whitening gels works by penetrating enamel to remove trapped staining particles embedded within. However, whitening gel also begins to erode your enamel if left in contact with your teeth for too long. And the more you whiten your teeth, the more enamel the bleach strips away.
Not only that, but whitening bleach also dehydrates your teeth, leaving them soft and susceptible to abrasion. In general, after whitening, you need to allow your teeth time to rehydrate and to allow the enamel to harden again. If you continue whitening day after day with no break, the foods you eat, as well as your oral hygiene activities, will damage your weakened enamel.
Too Much Whitening Exposes Your Teeth Roots
Did you know that there is such a thing as a person addicted to whitening? Dentists call this condition "bleachorexia." One of the most common problems suffered by people that whiten too much is damage to their gums. When bleaching gel meets your gums, it irritates them and causes them to swell. In time, your gums will also begin to recede if you don't give them time to recover.
The fact that at-home bleaching trays seldom fit doesn't help with this problem since the bleaching gel often spills over the sides. When your gums recede, the roots of your teeth no longer have any protection. And since the roots are only covered by a thin layer of enamel, they can quickly succumb to tooth decay. This problem doesn't happen with in-office whitening, however.
Are you new to whitening your teeth? Are you thinking of whitening your teeth at home? Then, remember to follow the instructions on the box, no matter how urgently you need your teeth to be white. If time isn't on your side, speak to a dentist about in-office whitening, as this is safer and faster.
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About Me
There are more than two ways to straighten a smile, and in this blog, I plan to discuss them all. I plan to look at the differences between braces and retainers and explain why sometimes you may need them both. I look at the differences in cost, time commitment and efficacy. Personally, I have had a bit of experience with this subject – I had braces as a young teen, and I had a permanent retainer. In this blog, I discuss what I have learned, and I present all kinds of new information on the topic. Whether you are trying to make decisions for yourself or your child. I hope you find this information useful.