Teeth whitening: Why you should leave it to the professionals

The perfect smile is something most people attain to but nowadays more than ever bright teeth are highly sought after making teeth whitening a hugely popular procedure.

It’s not just the professionals offering treatment to remove staining, a wide variety of home whitening kits are also available off the shelf.

While part of the popularity of teeth whitening is no doubt down to its relative affordability, which makes it an accessible enhancement, people need to be aware of what they are paying for.

The lure of off the shelf products is clear – they are cheaper. That lower cost does come at a price though.

To start with it is worth considering that it is actually illegal for anyone other than a qualified dentist to perform teeth whitening – this is to ensure that the active ingredients are used properly.

The risks of home teeth whitening kits

People can instead choose to whiten their own teeth with a DIY kit – although the law limits the amount of hydrogen peroxide – the bleaching agent – to 0.1 per cent.

This is the first point to consider – dentists are able to use hydrogen peroxide up to a concentration of 6 per cent. That makes a huge difference to efficiency.

The reality is that you may actually be paying for nothing if a DIY teeth whitening kit fails to make any impact on the colour of your teeth, never mind the time invested.

Poor results should be the least of your worries though. DIY teeth whitening kits also carry a number of risks, these include:

• Sensitive teeth
• Stomach problems
• Nerve damage
• Shrinking gums
• Patchy results 

A dentist will make a tailored mould to fit a patient’s teeth exactly. Most home whitening kits will not have the same level of precision meaning the chemical formula can escape causing a burning sensation and making it possible to swallow it – leading to stomach problems.

Sensitive teeth

DIY kits can also be very abrasive causing damage to the enamel that protects the surface of the teeth, leading to sensitive teeth. Enamel cannot be repaired and it is important that this is protected.

Should you wish to investigate the possibility of whitening your teeth speak to your dentist who will be able to give you expert advice.

When considering teeth whitening bear in mind this NHS warning:

“Only go to a registered dental professional for teeth whitening because whitening by people who aren't qualified, for example in beauty salons, is illegal. Home kits also carry risks.”

Contact Bhandal Dental Practice for advice you can trust on teeth whitening.