Solution Dental

Everyone wants to look and feel their best. Teeth whitening is a relatively new trend that is popular in the dentist’s chair and in the home.

Since about 1989, professional and home teeth whitening methods have increased in popularity. Medical and consumer health awareness groups have paid much attention to the safety and effectiveness of whitening products. These processes have received generally positive reports in both areas of effectiveness and consumer safety.

There are several issues that you should keep in mind when considering teeth whitening:

Concerns about the risks of bleaching agents have been raised in both medical and consumer communities. Some believe that these bleaching processes may cause certain cancers.

However, studies have demonstrated that the concentration of carbamide peroxide in teeth whitening does not cause any cancer in mouth tissue or gums. As a matter of fact, there is an agent in saliva that seems to offset the amount of peroxide given off by the teeth whitening agents.

Studies have been conducted to show whether or not bleaching agents will cause a tooth’s enamel to wear or become otherwise damaged. Medical experts have studied this area carefully and now claim that fruit juices and soft drinks cause more damage to tooth enamel than tooth whitening bleach.

Studies are underway to assess the affects of teeth whitening processes on nerve endings. These studies are still in the early stages, as the long-term effects are only present five to eight years after the whitening procedure. Despite concerns, checkups from five to eight years following tooth whitening have shown relatively little damage.

While it isn’t possible to have teeth whitening done if you have caps or crowns on your teeth it is possible to undergo the procedure if you have had simple fillings or root canal procedures. So far the dental histories have not shown any problems from this procedure, but studies are still in their infancy.

While the above mentioned studies are valid and accurate it is still best to consult with your dental health professional to decide your best course of action.

Every person’s dental history is unique, meaning that just because studies have supported teeth whitening in certain situations it may still be risky for you! Don’t take too much risk merely for appearance’s sake.