Is Teeth Whitening Safe, Or Is It More Hazardous Than Helpful?
by Aura Glow on Nov 29, 2018
So, in the effort of setting things straight, we’ve looked at the most common teeth whitening solutions and have laid out the safest ways to use them as well as side effects you may encounter.
How To Safely Whiten Teeth?
Before you whiten your teeth, there are some precautions you need to take. Some preparations you need to make. This is to ensure the health of your gums, teeth, and whole mouth.
Here are the steps you should take for safe whitening.
Talk With Your Dentist
Any time you make a big decision that could affect your oral health, you should always speak with your dentist. So the best thing to do before whitening your teeth is to get a general mouth exam and regular cleaning.
Your dentist will also check for cavities and the status of your gums, both of which could affect your ability to use teeth whitening. You can also ask them for their recommendation on what whitening procedure to use.
Even if you choose at-home whitening, seeing your dentist first is best.
Shop Around
All whitening solutions are not equal. All of them promise the same general things, but some of them don’t deliver like they say.
For example, some natural teeth whitening solutions are safe while others can be dangerous. And the results vary widely -- some options don’t work at all.
That’s why it’s worth checking out the AuraGlow kit, which uses professional-grade whitening ingredients and techniques. It’s vetted and proven to whiten your teeth.
Follow Instructions
Make sure you follow every step of the instructions included with whatever teeth whitening option you choose. Not keeping to the directions could lead to harm or lack of satisfying results.
For the most part, after you whiten, you’ll want to avoid sugary or acidic beverages and foods for a few hours.
Know When You Shouldn’t Whiten Your Teeth
Just to be as safe as possible, you shouldn’t whiten your teeth if you’re pregnant or nursing. Also, if you have composite or porcelain dental crowns, know that those won’t change color. So you may end up whitening the teeth around them and making the artificial tooth stand out too much.
Don’t Whiten Too Much
You should also be aware that whitening too much can be bad for your teeth. If you use whitening products too often, it can wear away at your tooth enamel on the microscopic level, increasing the chance of sensitivity and decay.
To keep your teeth white, it will require touchups. So just be careful to not overdo it.
Teeth Whitening Side Effects
Depending on the type of teeth whitening option you choose, there may be side effects. We’re going to cover the most common side effects for each whitening method.
Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste can lead to teeth sensitivity, it can be too abrasive, and it can cause the gums to recess. That’s why it’s important to follow the instructions included with the toothpaste and don’t use it more than recommended.
Teeth Whitening Strips
Because whitening strips aren’t custom-fit to your teeth, the chemicals could come into contact with your gums, lips, or the roof of your mouth. This can increase the speed of aging in the mouth because you’re putting oxidant up against live tissue, causing a harmful reaction and leading to free radicals in your mouth.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Even thoughLED teeth whitening systems (or other light-based methods) are relatively safe, they may accelerate the chemical reaction of the whitening, leading to damage to the tooth. Although when overseen by a professional dentist, the risks of side effects are very low.
DIY Teeth Whitening
Natural home remedies for yellow teeth are not FDA approved or overseen by a professional, so there are a lot more risks at play, regardless of the at-home method you choose.
For example, if you were to try the often recommended method of using strawberry or lemon, it can look as if it works. However, the acidity in those fruits can wear away at your enamel, possibly revealing the yellow-colored dentin underneath.
Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal can have effective results, but it’s important to know that it is a very abrasive product. Too much abrasion on the teeth can wear away the enamel, and enamel does not heal or grow back.
Safe Teeth Whitening At Home
So if you want the safety of professional whitening procedures but the convenience of at-home whitening solutions, you can go with a home teeth whitening kit like AuraGlow.
AuraGlow uses professional-grade ingredients and methods, allowing you to bring the dentist to your house (figurately, of course). Using a combo of whitening gel and LED light technology, you can experience the safest, most effective teeth whitening at home.
