What are the side effects of teeth bleaching?

Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dental treatment because it can make your smile several shades brighter by whitening your teeth. But like other dental services, teeth whitening also comes with risks. Fortunately, these side effects are usually mild, including tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. Before whitening your teeth, you should talk to your dentist about the risks and side effects of teeth bleaching.

Potential side effects of teeth whitening include tooth sensitivity, gum irritation, and ineffective results. 

Possible side effects of teeth whitening

Dentists take all possible precautions to minimize the risk of tooth sensitivity and gum irritation during treatment. However, side effects can occur in some cases, especially for those who use an over-the-counter whitening kit that was not prescribed by a dentist.

Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is one of the most common side effects of teeth whitening. It can occur if the patient’s tooth enamel is weakened or if the whitening is not done properly. Whitening in a dental clinic is the best way to minimize the risk of sensitivity during and after treatment because the dental professional can apply the whitening agent in the safest way possible. If necessary, dentists recommend special treatments before whitening to reduce the risk of sensitivity. For example, dentists may recommend that a patient with cavities get a dental filling before a whitening procedure.

gum irritation

In-office whitening involves separating the teeth from the gums using a dental dam. This significantly reduces the risk of gum irritation. However, gum irritation can occur if the gums are not properly isolated or the home or store whitening kit is not used properly. Most patients do not experience any problem with gum irritation.

Over bleaching

This usually happens with teeth that are treated at home, as patients tend to overuse bleaching agents to achieve faster results. Over-whitening your teeth can make them transparent and make the yellow color of your dentin more visible. It can also make your teeth appear darker at times.

To prevent this from happening, talk to your dentist about how often you should whiten your teeth and what strength of the whitening agent is right for you. Your dentist can also advise you on how long you should leave the whitening agent on your teeth.

Burns and blisters

In rare cases, the bleaching agents used in teeth whitening can cause burns or blisters on your gums. This usually happens when the gel used remains on your teeth for a long time or is not used properly.

If you suffer from these burns or blisters on your gums after whitening your teeth, you can rinse your mouth with cold water and use a topical numbing gel. If the pain persists, see your dentist.

ineffective results

It is important to have realistic expectations about what to expect from treatment. Teeth whitening can remove most minor stains, but it is not effective in treating more severe stains. The dentist can show you the type of results you can expect in a shade guide and explore your alternatives if ideal results cannot be achieved through teeth whitening.

There are usually no side effects.

That being said, most patients do not experience any side effects from teeth whitening treatments, especially when done in the office. Before starting treatment, talk to your dentist about ways to reduce the risk of side effects during or after treatment.

The importance of professional treatment

Most people who experience side effects from teeth whitening do so using store-bought whitening kits. While they may be helpful for some patients, they are not nearly as safe or effective as professional treatment. Instead, it is better to see a professional for teeth whitening and the results will last longer with the least risk of side effects.

How is the teeth whitening process?

The whitening agents used in teeth whitening work by breaking down into oxygen molecules. These oxygen molecules then penetrate your tooth enamel and break up stains, making your teeth appear brighter and whiter.

In this method, two types of bleaching agents can be used, which are:

Hydrogen peroxide is a stronger bleaching agent than carbamide peroxide, so it can provide faster results. However, it can also make teeth more sensitive.

Carbamide peroxide breaks down into hydrogen peroxide, so it is not as strong as pure hydrogen peroxide. Because of this, it may take longer to see results. At the same time, it is less likely to cause tooth sensitivity.

Care tips after teeth bleaching treatment

It is recommended that you avoid consuming highly pigmented foods such as tea, coffee, red fruits, tobacco, etc. for 48 hours after the teeth whitening procedure, or consume them according to the doctor’s advice and prescription. It is recommended to use hypoallergenic toothpaste to reduce inflammation and cause any sensitivity in the teeth and gums.

Maintaining good hygiene habits such as brushing twice a day and using dental floss will help prevent discoloration of your teeth, and the last recommendation is to keep visiting your dentist in Ottawa regularly and take it seriously.