The Secret Side Effects of At-home Teeth Whitening

In the pursuit of a dazzling smile, more and more people are opting for teeth whitening. As a result, this is one of the common cosmetic dentistry services offered by cosmetic dentists. Nevertheless, some individuals may assume that resorting to at-home teeth whitening would be much more economical for them. The reality is that, just as with any other dental procedure, teeth whitening does pose some risks to your oral health, and you would be best advised to have it professionally performed by a cosmetic dentist. The following are some of the less-talked-about side effects of at-home teeth whitening.

At-home teeth whitening poses the risk of over-bleaching

One thing to note about teeth whitening is that your standard of dazzling white teeth could vastly differ from another person's preference. Therefore, it is not uncommon to find people over-using their teeth whitening kits as they try to either accelerate the process or achieve the brightest smile. The danger of this is that you can inadvertently damage your teeth by making them brittle. Moreover, excessive bleaching has the opposite effect, as your enamel deteriorates and your teeth become grey and dull. Consulting with a cosmetic dentist would be best, as they would know the right dosage and length of treatment you require.

At-home teeth whitening could cause enhanced sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity may seem like minor discomfort, especially if you only experience it on occasion. If you engage in routine at-home bleaching, however, the whitening agents will exacerbate this sensitivity. Thus, you will find that not only are your teeth sensitive to heat and cold, but simple tasks such as talking, chewing and more can also become unbearably excruciating. This side effect occurs when the bleaching agents begin to erode your enamel, which eventually starts to expose the nerve endings in your teeth. It would be in your best interests to seek professional dentistry services to ensure your teeth do not become compromised in the process.

At-home teeth whitening could irritate your gums

Another little-known side effect of at-home teeth whitening is the onset of gum irritation. The active ingredient in at-home whitening kits is peroxide. For the peroxide to be effective, it has to be quite strong. Regular exposure to this concentrated peroxide will begin to affect the soft tissue in your gums. With prolonged use, you may start to develop sores on your gums, making them more susceptible to bacterial infections. In the worst case, your gum line may even begin to recede, which may cause you to require contouring. Instead of putting your gums at risk, it is ideal to have your teeth whitened by a cosmetic dentist, as they would be able to ensure complete protection of your soft gum tissue during the procedure.