The Dangers of DIY Teeth Whitening: Why Professional Treatment Is Safer

With cosmetic dentistry becoming more available, accessible and affordable, this means that more patients have the opportunity to upgrade their smiles with this simple and effective treatment.

One of the problems with teeth whitening becoming more popular is that it also attracts those looking to make a quick profit. Those who aren’t qualified to deliver the treatment plan are offering reduced rates at prices that are far too good to be true. While this option might be cheaper, it’s also far more dangerous for the patient. With this in mind, we’re looking at the potential dangers of DIY teeth whitening and why you should always trust the professionals.

What is teeth whitening and why is it dangerous?

Teeth whitening uses special chemicals to break up the bonds between the staining particles in your teeth. Once these bonds are broken down, the stains can be flushed out of the teeth, leaving the patient with a whiter and brighter smile.

The chemicals used are not dangerous when they are handled correctly, but it’s very easy to use them incorrectly if you are not a trained dental professional. This could lead to increased sensitivity, permanent damage to your tooth enamel, and chemical burns on the gums, cheek or tongue.

How we make teeth whitening safer

A key part of making teeth whitening safer for patients is to simply understand how the ingredients work and how they will interact with teeth. This expert knowledge allows us to ensure that the teeth whitening solutions are applied to the teeth for the correct length of time to be effective, but not so long that they cause damage.

This is also essential for ensuring that the patient does not experience any increased sensitivity as a result of their treatment. Teeth whitening requires the pores in the teeth to open to allow the stains to be flushed out. This leaves the nerves temporarily more exposed, which is why you might be more sensitive to hot and cold after the treatment. Professional treatment will ensure that these pores close after treatment, but incorrect use can cause damage to the enamel and leave the patient with permanent sensitivity.

And finally, the use of professional materials will reduce the risk of the chemicals coming into contact with other parts of the mouth. Teeth whitening trays should be custom designed for your teeth and gums to ensure the whitening substance has uniform contact with the tooth surface. This custom design will also reduce the risk that the material will come into contact with your gums, cheeks or tongue.

How do you know if a provider is qualified?

You should only trust a dentist with your teeth whitening. Beauty salons are not supposed to offer professional strength teeth whitening, so they will not be able to deliver reliable results. A common reason for seeking out beauty salon teeth whitening is to save time. These locations might offer at-home treatments that you can manage in your own time.

It’s important to remember that your dentist can offer the same flexibility. We have treatment plans that can be completed at home while you watch TV, or overnight whitening systems that offer a lower strength that can be left on overnight.

Supervision is essential when it comes to teeth whitening as it will prevent you from overusing the chemicals and causing damage to your teeth. If left to manage the treatment alone, many people will assume that repeat treatments will deliver even more dazzling results. However, there is a limit to the shades you can achieve without causing damage to your teeth.

What should I do if I have started treatment elsewhere?

If you have started treatment with another provider and you’re having doubts, the best thing to do would be to pause this treatment and visit your dentist. We can start by checking your teeth to see if you have caused any damage to your enamel and gums.

If the teeth whitening system you have purchased is safe, we may be able to help you to continue safely. This might require some adaptation, such as creating a custom teeth whitening tray for your smile.

If the teeth whitening system is not recognised by our team, or if we suspect it is counterfeit, we can help you to choose a reputable system to complete your treatment. We recommend returning to the original retailer for a refund so that you aren’t left out of pocket.