When can too much teeth whitening be bad for your oral health?

Excessive whitening can damage your teeth. Here’s what you need to know

Written by Sarah Novak

Flashing sparkling pearly whites may seem appealing, but getting too enthusiastic about popular teeth whitening treatments can seriously jeopardize your oral health. Influencers on TikTok and Instagram are touting a number of novel over-the-counter whitening products, and celebrities’ typical snow-white teeth can make others feel insecure about their smiles. there is. Additionally, in a 2022 survey, nearly half of dentists said they use social media to promote cosmetic treatments.

“Patients want it to be so white that it looks unnatural,” says Ronald Perry, a professor of integrative medicine at Tufts University School of Dentistry. He first “noticed an uptick in interest in social media, but then it blossomed during the pandemic.” People started looking at their teeth over Zoom and thinking they looked yellow. Ta. ”

In 2020, approximately 37 million Americans tried some form of teeth whitening product or procedure. A wide array of over-the-counter treatments include gel-filled trays, strips, and pens, but dentists can also use powerful bleaching gels and lasers. Experts say it’s generally safe to use over-the-counter products according to the manufacturer’s guidelines, but warn that overdoing it can be costly to your teeth. Too much whitening can damage your enamel, burn your gums, cause long-term tooth sensitivity, and even bleach your teeth. Teeth become natural colored and translucent.

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Most over-the-counter medications use the same active ingredient: hydrogen peroxide. A 2015 study found that oxidation reactions begin to remove discoloration on and beneath the tooth surface, making the enamel more permeable and even more porous. european dental journal. Additionally, 2018 dental journal Studies have shown that directly exposing teeth to bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide can cause unpleasant hypersensitivity in the nerve-filled dentin (the hard, yellow tissue that makes up most of the tooth’s internal structure and covers the nerves). It turns out that it can cause. And as the enamel layer deteriorates, the dentin itself eventually becomes visible, completely defeating the purpose of treatment. “What we end up seeing is more yellowish dentin underneath,” says Stephen Starlitz, director of the University of Kentucky’s Department of Restorative Dentistry. “At the edges of the tooth, where there is no dentin, it looks like glass.”

The damage caused by occasional bleaching is usually not permanent because saliva contains small amounts of electrolytes such as phosphate and calcium that help remineralize the teeth. Foods such as dairy products, dark leafy vegetables, and fish also contain minerals that strengthen teeth, and toothpastes containing fluoride and hydroxyapatite strengthen enamel. But people who consistently overuse whitening products can end up with long-term tooth sensitivity or even serious tooth erosion, says Nadia, a New York City cosmetic dentist.・Mr. Rodriguez says. Hydrogen peroxide in whitening treatments can chemically burn your gums, especially if the product is not applied correctly.

So, to what extent can you safely whiten your teeth? It depends on how much enamel you start with. “Younger people tend to have more enamel, which means their teeth can be whiter than older people,” says Rodriguez. She says it’s generally considered best practice to whiten your teeth to a shade slightly whiter than the whites of your eyes.

Moderate tooth whitening is safe and effective, says Perry. Overall, the data shows that professional whitening done in a dental office is generally harmless as long as you wait at least six months to a year between sessions. Some tooth sensitivity is a common side effect, but it usually disappears within a few weeks after treatment. Most at-home whitening kits are considered safe if users follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. Many of these treatments only need to be applied for up to two weeks, and Rodriguez advises waiting three to four months before whitening again (at-home treatments may require more treatment than in-office treatments). (low hydrogen peroxide content).

White teeth make people look better and feel more confident. But Rodriguez warns that the flashy smiles promoted on social media often sell a false narrative. “If people are showing off their absurdly white teeth on social media, it’s (probably) not their real teeth,” she says. The look may be enhanced by social media filters or achieved by porcelain coverings called veneers that can cover imperfections and stains.

For most of us who want brighter teeth, Perry argues that routine dental health basics are a good place to start and may be enough. “Before you do anything else, get your teeth professionally cleaned to remove hardened plaque, tartar, and a lot of dirt that has built up on your teeth,” he says. And then decide if additional whitening still makes sense for you.