Tooth Whitening Product Safety

Don’t be surprised! Learn what to expect! Consider home tooth whitening product safety. Learn about the limits of tooth bleaching and how to avoid the problems.

Tooth whitening safety is one of those areas we must talk and talk about again and again. It is impossible to predict all possibilities of danger. Therefore, I will begin with the general guidelines and add to the topic when information becomes available. Keep an eye on this page from time to time.

You are about to invest in a home tooth whitening product.

Wait! It may be too early. There are a few things to consider before you click the “Purchase” button. Tooth whitening safety is one of them.

When considering tooth whitening products you must balance quality with safety. You are reading this page because you want whiter teeth. In general, stronger whitening gels give you better results but more potent gels are also more dangerous.

A 6% hydrogen peroxide (or a 22% carbamide peroxide) gel is safe for most of us. However if you are concerned or you know you have any of the potential problems below you should consider giving yourself a wider safety margin. In these cases select a tooth whitening product or gel with lower percent concentration.

Home tooth whitening may not be for you.

Are your gums in perfect health?

Do you have some kind of periodontal decease?

Do you have open cavities?

Do you have loose teeth?

Home tooth bleaching is for people in good health. If you think your oral health is questionable you should consider asking your dentist for an evaluation.

Most tooth bleaching problems are caused by the whitening gel. Bleach is eye and skin irritant. The whitening power of gels mostly depends on the percent concentration of the active ingredients. More potent gels are better whiteners but also more dangerous. We must find the balance.

Dentists use 10% or higher concentration hydrogen peroxide gels. These chemicals are much stronger than the ones you would use at home. Professional products are not without problems. Eyes and gums must be protected. Dentists must use a protective rubber dam or pain-on dam around the gum line to prevent tissue damage. They will also use eye protection during the treatment.

Home tooth whitening gels are less potent but that doesn’t necessarily mean less whitening power. In-office treatments usually take less than an hour. At-home treatments on the other hand leave the whitening gel on the tooth for longer time periods. Longer application gives more time for the gel to penetrate the tooth resulting in similar or even whiter results.

Personally, when it comes to chemicals I prefer lower concentration as opposed to very potent gels. Maybe it takes more time but I certainly feel safer.

22% carbamide peroxide or 6% hydrogen peroxide concentration is considered safe for most uses.

Are you still uncomfortable?

You may have a reason to be even more risk averse. Perhaps you want to be cautious about sensitivity.

No problem! Choose a lower concentration gel. Gel is cheap. You can always purchase something stronger. Your choice of tooth whitening product must give you confidence. Whitening is only possible if you follow the treatment.

I must mention here that the American Dental Association has an approval process for home tooth whitening products. Currently the highest concentration gel approved by the ADA is 10% Carbamide peroxide. If the ADA safety guidelines are important to you then choose an approved tooth whitening product.

How about sensitive teeth?

Depending on the health of your gum line the tooth whitening bleach may make your teeth more sensitive (to hot, cold, sweet and sour). If your gums and teeth are in poor condition it is best to discuss your options with your dentist. Home whitening may not be for you at all.

Sensitivity occurs because the gel penetrates the porous part of the tooth called Dentin. Cavities or recessed gum line gives a direct path to the Dentin.

Usually, sensitivity doesn’t last more than a few days. Your body naturally replaces the fluid inside your Dentin in a few days. Once the fluid plugs the tubes the sensitivity is gone.

Many tooth whitening gels contain a desensitizer called potassium nitrate that eliminates or reduces this sensitivity. If sensitivity is a concern I recommend you choose a gel that contains potassium nitrate.

Some companies don’t like to share the composition of their gels. I tried my best to identify those products that do contain desensitizer. Alternatively or additionally, commercially available desensitizers can be applied after treatments. (By the way, this is exactly what your dentist does if your teeth turn out to be sensitive to the whitening gel.) Perhaps you may want to buy some desensitizer just to be prepared.

You can also buy toothpaste for sensitive teeth. These products also contain potassium nitrate. It may however take a few days or weeks for these products to take effect.

Custom fitted whitening trays reduce risk

Beyond being the best choice for whiter teeth, custom trays also reduce the risk of sensitivity and other potential problems.

The reason? Better fitted trays use less bleach. Less bleach less leakage. Custom trays are trimmed of at the gum line. So, if the bleach leaks it doesn’t stay in contact with the gums. Sometimes you can apply bleach to certain teeth only, thus avoiding sensitive areas.

More about tooth whitening product safety

Overbleaching. Know when to stop before you overbleach your teeth. - I am sure you are a responsible person and know when enough is enough. Unlimited whitening can damage your oral health and even hurt your appearance.

I leave this section unfinished for now. I will add to this page as I come across more safety related issues or better tooth whitening product choices.

Remember! If you are concerned about one of the above mentioned areas but would still prefer home tooth bleaching, you have a few choices:

• You can always ask your dentist.
• Select a tooth whitening product that has custom fitted trays and lower concentration gel. You can always buy stronger gel inexpensively.
• Be prepared! Complement your tooth whitening product with some desensitizer now, and keep it handy in case of sensitiveness.

Teeth Whitening