Side-Effects You Should Consider Before You Whiten Your Teeth
When you undergo a treatment to whiten teeth, there are some associated risks involved – although none are life threatening and acute. These risks are often temporary side effects related to the tooth whitening treatment because of the use of the chemical peroxide in bleaching.
Generally, teeth whitening procedures are considered medically safe when all precautionary measures are met and proper implementation is followed. Here are some of the risks involved when you whiten your teeth:
Sensitivity
Piece of trivia: redheads are more prone to sensitivity and “zingers” as compared to other hair colours. A zinger is the shooting sensation you feel at the front teeth area when your teeth and gums are subjected to dental treatments.Sensitivity is more commonly experienced in people who choose in-clinic teeth whitening because a more concentrated dose of bleaching product is used for the treatment.
The peroxide or bleach will increase your sensitivity to pressure, temperature and touch. Recessed gums, broken or cracked teeth and generally damaged enamels will also contribute largely to the sensitivity.
Treatment for sensitivity comes in the form of toothpaste or gel and can last up to several days after the teeth whitening procedure is done.
Gum irritation
Because the chemical peroxide used for bleaching the teeth is a foreign element, the gums are most likely to have a reaction upon contact. Many dentists use protective gum covers when performing techniques to whiten teeth. This is because some patients indeed have extra sensitive gums – either they experience itchiness, stings, numbing pains or throbbing aches at the gum area.
This irritation may last several days as well, just like sensitivity. People with a gum disease or other gum-related problems must not undergo teeth whitening because it might exacerbate their condition. As soon as the peroxide concentration level is brought down, the gum irritation is also alleviated.
No colour uniformity
Have you noticed some people sporting Technicolor teeth? Funny as it may sound, it is the result of teeth whitening gone bad because of the lack of knowledge or insistence. Technicolor teeth happen because dental restorations such as bonding, dental crowns and porcelain veneers cannot be bleached.
As a result, they retain their original colour while the rest of the “un-restored teeth” become several shades whiter. As you can imagine, the teeth will look unevenly coloured! Patients who have gone through previous dental procedures should be made aware of the consequences first before they whiten teeth.
Toothache
For some patients who have existing dental problems such as unfilled cavities and the like, a dull ache in that specific area may occur as a result of teeth whitening. The bleaching chemical, always the cause of minor irritation, can be too concentrated and potent.
Further, mishandling of instruments may cause a slip and hit sensitive veins. This, too, can lead into toothache. It is best advised to fix any dental problem first before going all out on a teeth whitening treatment. To be able to whiten teeth safely and effectively, you and your dentist must follow proper precautionary measures.
