At least at first glance, you might think it’s best to whiten your teeth yourself. That approach can look easier, more accessible, and less costly than a brighter smile through dentistry. Even so, you’re actually better off seeing your cosmetic dentist in Clute; the dangers of DIY teeth whitening are many. A self-managed treatment will just work poorly and hurt your smile. If you’d like further details, please keep reading to learn about DIY teeth whitening’s lesser-known risks.
DIY Whitening Carries Risks
DIY whitening may look like a great choice, but it carries many dangers and risks. You can even organize these complications by type, including:
Store-Bought Bleaching Kits
Store-bought whitening kits seem similar to those from dentists, but they can really hurt your grin. Using them increases your risk of damaged enamel, especially as they lack dental supervision. Their shoddy design can also cause gel to enter a tooth’s chamber, leading to tooth pain that you’d need treatment for.
Over-the-Counter Strips & Gels
Like the store-bought kits, over-the-counter strips and gels don’t do a smile much good. Their unsupervised use often leads to bleaching gel reaching one’s gums. From there, you might suffer gum irritation that causes soreness, occasional white spots, and more.
Activated Charcoal Products
Whatever you’ve heard online, activated charcoal items just make a grin look and feel worse. Such products – charcoal toothpaste, charcoal powder, etc. – are highly abrasive by nature. Given that fact, using them will erode your tooth enamel and expose your smile’s dentin. Such effects would increase your risk of cavities, tooth sensitivity, etc.
“Pro” Whitening is Safe & Effective
If there’s any good news, it’s that “pro” whitening isn’t risky like the DIY kind. Brightening your smile with a dentist’s help is far safer and more effective for you.
“Pro” whitening is thoroughly checked and vetted by reliable authorities. Indeed, dentists only rely on bleaching gel approved by the American Dental Association and similar groups. That means a professional whitener will remove your mild-to-moderate tooth stains without issue. Once it’s bleached your grin, you’ll have brighter teeth that don’t come at the cost of your oral health.
The dangers of DIY teeth whitening are real, so please don’t ignore them. Note the ones above so you know to see a dental practice for a shiny smile!
About the Practice
Woodshore Family Dentistry is based in Clute, TX. Led by Drs. Desai and Pattni, our practice seeks to make every patient’s dental experience happy, effective, and accessible. We thus offer comprehensive dentistry under one roof, our treatments ranging from the preventive and cosmetic to the restorative. Our team also ensures tailored results by using the latest dental technology! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (979)-341-9890.