According to the Australian Dental Association (ADA), there has been a huge surge in people seeking out teeth whitening products and services over the last 5 years. In 2016 alone, teeth whitening became the most searched-for subject on social media sites like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and Pinterest. But is teeth whitening treatment safe?
The answer can be both yes and no and while that may seem like a bit of a cop-out, there are a number of factors that can and do dictate just how safe teeth whitening is.
One of these factors is where people source their treatment…
In 2018 for instance, the ADA carried out a survey which found that out of the thousands of people interviewed, as many as 68% of people who had paid for teeth whitening treatment had bought products directly from a website, beauty store, or chemist.
While some do-it-yourself teeth whitening products are safe and proven, the same cannot be said for other teeth whitening products sold online. This includes some with dangerously high levels of active ingredients which can in the wrong hands cause gum burning and even irreversible tooth damage.
On the flip side of this, there are other over-the-counter products like whitening gels, pens and toothpaste that contain minimal amounts of whitening agent – less than 0.1% in many cases, which more often than not are insufficient to make any real difference. This crazy situation means that many consumers are caught between purchasing teeth whitening products which are too strong for home use and products which simply aren’t powerful enough to really make a difference.
That’s all well and good, but it still doesn’t answer the question is teeth whitening safe?
Just how safe is teeth whitening really?
Provided tried and tested teeth whitening products are used in the right way and under the right guidance, then they can really make a difference to a person’s smile in a safe way.
Here’s what the law states…
Under Australian law, the only people that can legally administer teeth whitening products containing more than 18% carbamide or 6% hydrogen peroxide are dental professionals in chairside teeth whitening procedures only. It is illegal to supply teeth whitening products for home use containing more than the quantities specified above.
This is why seeking out a dental professional for your teeth whitening treatment is not only the smart thing to do, it’s also the safest (and probably the quickest) way of achieving a great-looking smile.
Let’s explain…
In many instances, chairside teeth whitening can deliver noticeable results within a few hours, with treatments taking less than one hour to complete. Here at No Gaps Dental, for instance, our dental practices use only the best and longstanding teeth whitening products such as Phillips Zoom or Pola, during treatments that are closely monitored.
For those who would rather whiten teeth in the comfort of their own home, one of the safest and proven methods of teeth whitening is achieved when using a professional take-home kit.
Unlike other take-home kits, those supplied by your dentist use trays that are perfectly sculpted to fit your teeth.
Why is this important?
Quite simply because it cancels out the possibility that any of the whitening product will come into contact with your gums. On the contrary, when you purchase an off-the-shelf whitening kit from your local chemist or store, all trays come as a standard fit. This means that there is a possibility that some whitening gel could find its way onto your gums, causing a degree of irritation or worse still, burning.
Of course, it isn’t simply the way that you whiten teeth that might bring about problems or safety issues, it may also be the frequency with which you do it.
Is teeth whitening safe? The problems with frequent teeth whitening
When you buy teeth whitening products online or from a local store/chemist there is no control over how much or how often you use them. While reputable products cause no harm when used in moderation, even products approved by the Australian Dental Association can be unsafe when used too frequently. This can lead to issues like:
- Eroding tooth enamel leading to a higher risk of tooth decay
- Increased tooth sensitivity and
- A translucent discoloured appearance which is irreversible
- With all of the above in mind…
Here’s the key takeaway
Teeth whitening products can range from a few dollars up to several hundred dollars. But if you want to ensure that teeth whitening is both effective and safe, then achieving it with the help of a dental professional is by far the best way of ensuring that you get the results you want without causing any type of long-term damage or harm.
If you’d like to find out more about our teeth whitening procedures or are concerned about how safe teeth whitening is, then don’t hesitate to book a consultation with a team at your chosen No Gaps Dental practice. We’ll discuss the best and safest course of action to deliver the results you want. Call for an appointment today.