Health

The Harmful Effects of Over the Counter Teeth Whitening Products

By: Joseph Akintaju on March 1, 2013 @ 4:14 pm

Everyone wants a dazzling, white smile. While strolling the aisles of the local drugstore, you’re sure to see a section that’s devoted to at-home teeth whitening kits. These do-it-yourself kits typically make big, bold promises about the dramatic results that you’ll enjoy by using them. As with so many other things though, you should be wary of quick fixes. It’s nice to have clean, white teeth, but it’s important to remember that they’re the only teeth you have. Some mistakes are irreversible. To whip your teeth into great shape without all the risk, you should visit San Antonio dentists instead. Find out why over-the-counter teeth whitening kits aren’t all they’re cracked up to be below.

Affordable but Unreliable

At-home teeth whitening kits are marketed in a way that plays on people’s insecurities. If your teeth are visibly stained or have simply lost some of their luster, you may feel pretty self-conscious about it. At the same time, you may be reluctant to have a dentist help you because you’re worried about the expense. The low price tags and big promises that are featured on today’s over-the-counter teeth whitening kits seemingly solve both problems in one fell swoop: They purport to whiten your teeth, and they’re really affordable. However, they’re also not very reliable and can actually cause more harm than good.

Tooth Enamel: A Non-Renewable Resource

Healthy teeth are covered in enamel. This coating does more than make teeth look glossy and nice. It protects them from decay and disease, and it shields the nerves too. If it’s worn away, it doesn’t come back, so you need to protect it at all costs. The big problem with many over-the-counter teeth whitening kits is that they have excessive amounts of peroxide, which can wear away at your teeth’s precious enamel. In exchange for slightly whiter teeth, you could end up with teeth that are essentially “naked.”

A Lot of Pain for a Small Amount of Gain

You should be especially cautious when you run across at-home teeth whitening kits that purport to produce immediate results. They probably contain exorbitant amounts of peroxide. If the enamel on your teeth is affected, they can become soft. In turn, they can become extremely sensitive and start causing you a lot of pain. You’re sure to agree that having a white, sparkling smile isn’t worth it if it means that you have to live with ongoing pain. There’s simply no telling how a do-it-yourself teeth whitening kit will affect your teeth. To stay safe, you need to let a professional do the work for you.

A Small Price to Pay

If you’re determined to have white teeth, the best thing to do is to let a dentist do the work for you. San Antonio dentists know how to whiten teeth safely and effectively. When you visit a local dentist to have your teeth whitened, he will examine their current condition to determine the safest and most efficient course of action. You will also have follow-up appointments to ensure that the process has been successful. You’ll spend more than you would on one of those over-the-counter kits, but you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that your teeth and their enamel are safe and secure. It’s a small price to pay, and you still get the results that you want.

Mercedes Potter is a part of an elite team of writers who have contributed to hundreds of blogs and news sites. Follow her @CedesPotter.

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