While do-it-yourself projects can be fun, you shouldn’t try any related to teeth whitening. Efforts to brighten your smile yourself can be dangerous for you and your oral health. In fact, your DIY fun could seriously harm your grin if your luck is rather bad. As for how that’s possible, your Temple cosmetic dentist will gladly explain the potential risks to you. Just keep reading to learn about the everyday dangers of DIY teeth whitening.
The Dangers of DIY Teeth Whiteners
Though they may claim otherwise, DIY whiteners are quite dangerous for your smile. Just consider the effects of those listed below:
Store-Bought Bleaching Kits
Aside from their poor results, store-bought bleaching kits are bad because they’re often harmful. Many brands can damage your enamel without qualified supervision. Plus, their lack of vetting means their gel may enter a tooth’s nerve chamber. Something like that would cause pain and require professional care to treat.
Over-the-Counter Gels & Strips
Over-the-counter gels and strips promise smooth results, but they carry a great many risks. Their unsupervised use often causes their gels to reach your gums, leading to gum irritation. Worse yet, exposing your gum tissue to such gel can trigger soreness and occasional white spots.
Charcoal Toothpaste & Powder
Some folks see activated charcoal as a great teeth whitener, but the products that use it for stain removal just aren’t safe. Items like charcoal toothpaste and powder are highly abrasive and erode your tooth enamel over time. As a result, using them excessively will expose your dentin, cause tooth sensitivity, and worse.
Why is Pro Whitening the Safer Option?
Compared to the DIY approach, professional teeth whitening is much safer. Treatment from a dentist offers stellar results without harming your teeth, gums, or the rest of your mouth.
First of all, a dentist’s bleaching gel is non-abrasive in nature. It won’t wear down or erode the enamel layer on your smile. On the contrary, it’ll just seep into your grin and remove your tooth stains. You’ll then sport a brighter smile than you did before.
More crucial is that a dentist’s whitening is tailored to you. After all, a dental practice will account for your oral health, dental history, and other key factors before your treatment. An example would be how in-office whitening adjusts the amount of bleaching gel, ensuring you don’t suffer side effects.
The dangers of DIY teeth whitening are real, so remember to take them seriously. Talk to your dental provider about a professional option instead!
About the Author
Dr. Richard Fossum is a certified dentist in Temple, TX, having earned his DDS from the UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry. Thanks to his many years helping patients, his expertise spans preventive, cosmetic, and even restorative dental care. That means you (and your family) can trust him with nearly all of your smile needs! Today, Dr. Fossum practices at his self-titled clinic and is reachable on his website and by phone at (254)-778-3900.