Who doesn’t dream of having pearly white teeth?
Your smile is the first thing people notice about you. A smile that reveals clean, bright, healthy teeth makes you look all the more attractive, while a dingy smile may do just the opposite.
Nobody wants to make a bad first impression with their smile but be careful to choose your tooth-whitening program carefully. There are abundant over-the-counter methods to brighten your smile at home, but many of these do-it-yourself (DIY) methods can be dangerous.
Many products promise a quick fix, encouraging you to skip the cost of a dental visit. But, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. Most often, you actually get less of the whitening agent in an over-the-counter product than you would at the dentist’s office. In addition to being less potent, DIY solutions may actually pose a threat to your oral health.
Before trying any DIY method to brighten your smile, consider the dangers of the following at-home teeth-whitening methods.
UV Products
The use of over-the-counter ultraviolet (UV) light teeth-whitening kits can result in spottiness, when used with a whitening solution that isn’t spread evenly over the teeth. Additionally, there is a risk that you may experience gum or nerve damage due to the IV light exposure. Additional undesirable consequences of DIY UV light teeth whitening include infections in the mouth and toothaches.
Whitening Strips
Readily available to consumers, whitening strips can be effective in creating a brighter smile – but overuse can damage the gums and teeth, increasing tooth sensitivity.
Whitening strips shouldn’t be applied more than once a year. Consumers utilizing whitening strips at home might be tempted to overuse the product, attempting to secure the same results they would experience if they’d visited a professional.
A dentist, on the other hand, is trained to properly clean and brighten teeth within the constraints of the particular chemical being used. Because the active ingredients in whitening products administered by a dentist are typically more potent than in over-the-counter products, tooth-whitening performed by a dentist results in safer and longer-lasting bright, white teeth.
Oil-Pulling
Believe it or not, oil-pulling – swishing oil around your teeth in 15- to 20-minute intervals – is believed by some to improve the look of your teeth. The idea is that toxins are drawn from the mouth with the oil, improving oral health and in turn whitening teeth.
However, there is no scientific evidence that this method works to whiten teeth. In addition, oil-pulling does nothing to prevent tooth decay so both of its claims are suspect.
Baking Soda
Some people swear by the use of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) as a short-term teeth-whitening solution. While baking soda is a natural whitener, it is also abrasive and could, over time, damage your tooth enamel. When the enamel weakens, your teeth are more susceptible to tooth decay.
In sum, please carefully consider the potential risks of using over-the-counter products to whiten your teeth at home.
For the best teeth-whitening options for you – and the least harmful – consult your dentist. Don’t compromise the structural integrity of your teeth or your oral health with DIY remedies. Contact Dedicaed Dental Care today for a consultation by calling (702) 566-5509 or request an appointment now.
