There are a huge number of teeth whitening kits easily available from online retailers, often relentless with their advertising, to supermarket shelves.
Tooth whitening is a process that lightens stains in the tooth enamel (outer layer) and dentine (inner layer) of your teeth, to give your teeth a whiter colour. Many offer bold results, claiming they will make your chompers several shades whiter in the process.
However, using a home kit rather than heading to a registered dentist for a whitening treatment, exposes you to variables that are said to have the potential to damage your teeth in the long term. These risks vary depending on the product used, how it’s applied, and your tooth sensitivity.
Another challenge is that there are many causes of tooth discolouration, include foods your eat, the health of your teeth, your age and more. It means using a home kit can have variable results: at best you’re throwing your money away, and at worst, you put yourself at risk of disguising or worsening dental health issues.
Over-whitening by applying products that are too strong, or too often, can actually cause teeth to have an unnatural greyish tinge.
Ingredients Used For Teeth Whitening
The most common primary ingredient for teeth teeth whitening is Hydrogen Peroxide. In regulated concentrations, this ingredient is said to be safe, but overuse or high concentrations can irritate gums, enamel, and soft tissues in the mouth. For this reason the ingredient has limits for home-use that differs slightly around the world.
In New Zealand, the amount of hydrogen peroxide in DIY teeth whitening products must be less than 7% and in Australia, less than 6%. That’s much higher than rules in the EU, where products with 0.1% or higher are only available from dentists.
Dentists advise hydrogen peroxide whitening is only safe when it is applied in a specific manner, avoiding contact with gums by using professionally-fitted dental trays and using the correct concentration for the correct amount of time.
Prolonged or excessive use of whitening agents can lead to enamel erosion, tooth sensitivity, and gum irritation.
In concentrated forms, risks exist to your health, including chemical burns to the gums, mouth and throat. Ingestion of highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide solutions may also induce rapid loss of consciousness and can even result in death.
Another common agent that’s used is carbamide peroxide, which again is considered safe in low concentrations but can have similar health risks in higher concentrations.
Risks of unsafe products purchased online
Some people may also be at risk of allergic reactions to ingredients in whitening products. As those ordered online may have been sourced from overseas, it’s harder to understand what is in each product and if it complies with local laws designed for safety.
A report from the UK Trading Standards recently found that up to 88% of home-use teeth-whitening kits shipped through the mail might be unsafe.
Some home-use teeth whitening kits bought online have been found to contain as much as 300 times the safe, legal limit there, reaching dangerous levels of hydrogen peroxide of around 30%. At these high strengths you risk damaging the surface of teeth as well as gums and soft tissue in the mouth.
To avoid these risks for toxicity, alternative forms of teeth whitening have become popular in recent years. Products without peroxides, like activated charcoal or whitening toothpaste, are less likely to cause toxicity but might be less effective.
While charcoal is a common alternative, dentists warn some products with particles that are too large may have the potential to scratch the enamel on teeth to achieve the whiter effect.
Homemade whitening remedies using lemon juice, baking soda, citric acid or other ingredients can also be harmful to enamel and increase the risk of tooth decay and sensitivity.
Teeth whitening tips
If you want to use a teeth whitening kit at home, it’s a good idea to speak to a dentist first.
It’s important to understand any damage to tooth enamel is likely permanent. Because tooth enamel does not consist of living cells, it does not grow back or repair naturally, so proceed with caution. Once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.
If you are still keen, make sure to consider these things:
Consult a Dentist: Have a dental exam before starting any whitening treatment to ensure suitability.
Follow Instructions: Adhere strictly to product guidelines, including application time and frequency.
Use Dentist-Approved Products: Look for products with the a Dental Association seal of acceptance.
Avoid Overuse: Limit treatments to the recommended timeframe, usually no more than once or twice a year.
Seek help: If you notice adverse effects, discontinue use and seek advice from a dentist.
