Tooth whitening in the dentist’s office is the safest way to achieve glossy, pearly whites, but there are many whitening products you can buy at your local pharmacy or grocery store to achieve the same results, but be aware of three safety issues.

There are two ways to whiten teeth. The first is bleaching, a process that changes the natural color of the tooth. It is done by using carbamide peroxide tochanges the color of deep and surface tooth stains. The second way to whiten teeth uses non-bleaching agents that remove surface tooth stains by chemical or physical means.

The results of both bleaching and non-bleaching tooth whitening are guaranteed to work. These methods are effective at producing the desired whitening, and they are safe to use. There are three issues, however, that you should be aware of before you use a tooth whitening product. There are some side-effects to the tooth whitening process. Be aware that whitening your teeth can affect your gums, your teeth, and any silver fillings you’ve had done in the past. The nature of the problems that can result from tooth whitening is dependent upon what kind of treatment you’ve received, and whether your treatment was done in a dentist’s office or at home.

Gums

Be aware that the bleach concentration in the products your dentist uses to whiten your teeth is much higher than the bleach concentration in the products you use to whiten your teeth at home. Also, be aware that your dentist uses one additional technique to help the tooth bleaching process, a bleaching lamp. The higher the concentration of bleach, the higher the chance that your gums will be irritated. There are precautions that dentists take to assure that the bleach does not harm your gums and the root of your teeth. If your gums become irritated from the application of the bleach, the irritation will usually resolve on its own.

Teeth

Tooth sensitivity is a very common side-effect of the whitening process. If you already have problems with tooth sensitivity can alleviate their discomfort by using a toothpaste made to treat tooth sensitivity. This toothpaste can be used before starting the tooth bleaching process to protect the tooth enamel when applying the bleach. Fortunately, the tooth sensitivity you may experience should not last long.

If your teeth have broken fillings, cracks, or cavities, then the bleaching process may cause sensitivity discomfort. However, there is no lasting damage to your tooth enamel when this happens.

Silver Fillings

Some studies suggest that tooth bleaching can affect silver tooth fillings by causing the fillings to release mercury. For this reason, many dental practices no longer use silver fillings. The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) has stated that this is not a serious health concern because the mercury content in a silver filling is harmless, and the bleach will not destroy any other types of fillings, crowns, or dental implants.

While services such as salons and spas offer tooth whitening procedures, it is always safest to have your teeth whitened in a dentist’s office. Your dentist will perform a complete exam on your teeth before whitening your teeth, and will also ensure that you have no cavities or broken teeth. If you suffer the discomfort of tooth sensitivity, then your dentist may also apply a highly concentrated fluoride a few days before performing the bleaching treatment.

While tooth whitening is not an ideal treatment when it is done carefully and by a dentist, it is relatively safe. It is wisest to skip the at-home bleaching treatment and let your dentist help you achieve a pearly white smile.