A clean, white smile speaks volumes. We all want to have whiter teeth, and new advances offer safe whitening options at home, and at the dentist's office.
Methods of teeth whitening, professionally and at home, were first presented around 1989. Over the years, the medical and consumer health awareness communities have conducted studies to judge the safety and effectiveness of teeth whitening methods. In general, these processes have received positive reports in regards to safety and effectiveness.
There are several issues that you should keep in mind when considering teeth whitening:
Both medical and consumer communities have raised some concerns about the risks involved with bleaching. Some bleaching agents may pose cancer-causing risks.
Studies have shown, however, that the concentration of carbamide peroxide in teeth whitening products will not cause any cancer in mouth tissues or gums. An agent naturally present in saliva seems to offset the amount of peroxide that's emitted by teeth whitening agents.
Consideration and attention has also been given to the fear of bleaching agents causing a tooth's enamel to wear off or be damaged. After careful study, the medical experts now say that more damage is done to a tooth's enamel by soft drinks or fruit juices than tooth whitening bleach.
The issue of nerve endings being affected by teeth whitening is still in its early stages since this can be studied only in longer intervals such as five to eight years after the teeth whitening procedure. Despite this concern there is still little damage being shown to teeth that have undergone whitening and been in for a five to eight year checkup after the process.
It is not possible to have teeth whitening on existing caps and crowns, but you may have the procedure done if you have had simple fillings or root canal. Dental studies to date have not shown any problems from this procedure, but many such studies are still in their infancy.
Even though the studies mentioned are valid and accurate, it is always best to consult with your dental health professional to decide your best course of action.
Your personal dental history is unique, so studies that support teeth whitening in certain situations it may still pose specific risks for you. Don't take any unnecessary risks just for the sake of appearances.
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