Are Tooth Bleaching Kits Safe?
Thursday, February 5th, 2009It has to be said that the teeth whitening process is in general are not appropriate for everybody. It is always worth seeking professional advice before embarking on any course of treatment. Your dentist will can advise you on which choices are suitable for your situation. Some of them may not be of use in your particular circumstances.
The question that people face is, does the perceived added safety of a professional procedure by a dentist, justify the extra cost involved. Will the home teeth whitening product be safe and will it be as effective to use? are the instructions easy to follow and are there any possible side effects? What are the pros and cons?
In order to provide a safe, over the counter products for home use, the whitening gel is of a lower concentration than you would get from a professional treatment. So how good are the results, how quick and how long lasting? But there are also conspiracy theorist who question this.
Do devious manufacturers use higher concentrations of the bleaching agent than they admit to, so that their product will work? It has even been suggested that abrasive materials are added that could be damaging to tooth enamel. I think that neither of these theories hold water. As long as you stick to reputable products you should be fine. The penalties for such practices, from major fines and lawsuits, to withdrawal of the product license, would be too costly to contemplate.
Reputable companies carry out major clinical trials before releasing their products into the market. Some research on their websites showyou the results of these trials, and if you want to be extra sur, you can find the links back to the original source documents. It would also damage their bottom line and their good name, to make claims that proved to be false.
These treatments normally involve placing a gel containing tray over your teeth for up to an hour. This is not too uncomfortable, but it is an inconvenient and you are not likely to do it for longer than you need to. Some of these products can be used overnight and companies boast of how long their gel stays active, compared to lesser competitors.
There is more chance that you will be wearing the tray after the gel has become inactive, than that you will suffer any problems from over use. It is safe to say that these products are generally regarded as safe. The other question is, can they give you the same benefits that you would get from a couple of visits to the dentist.
Here again, it is very unwise for companies to make claims that they cannot substantiate. After all, if the product provided no benefit, there are millions of users who would be shouting it from the rooftops. So how good are the results, how quick and how long do they last?After two visits with your dentist, your dazzling new smile is in place. And with the proper aftercare, it can last for up to 15 years, but it could be as short as 5.
Some of the home teeth gel treatments claim a noticeable difference after only one hour and that with repeated treatments that you can reach the same levels on the dental comparison charts that you would get from professional whitening. And they could last just as long. So, are they a worthwhile alternative?
At the start, I said that it is always worth getting a professional opinion, but a home teeth whitening is a viable option. And remember, there are over the counter products, and your dentist can provide a custom solution.