Dr. Ross Chiaramonte examines do’s and don’ts of budget teeth whitening

Teeth whitening has become big business in North America.  Just how big has it become? In 2012, Americans reportedly spent $1.4 billion on nonprescription teeth whitening products (http://www.bu.edu/today/2012/the-truth-about-teeth-whiteners/).  That number has only increased over the past three years. At the same time, bleaching teeth has become the most requested procedure among patients ages 40 to 60.  This according to an ADA survey conducted in 2011 (http://www.prevention.com/beauty/natural-beauty/dangers-teeth-whitening).

More people than ever are looking for that pearly-white Hollywood smile. But, not everyone is necessarily looking to shell out the money needed to have their teeth whitened professionally by a dentist.

As evidenced by the increasing number of home teeth whitening products on the market, instead of whitening teeth professionally, many people are choosing to whiten their teeth at home through over the counter teeth whitening kits and products.

The big question is, what are the dangers posed by these do-it-yourself teeth whitening products?  A related question that provides useful knowledge — what’s the difference between ‘whitening’ versus ‘bleaching’.

Addressing the latter question first, ‘bleaching’ is a term that can only be used when teeth are being whitened beyond their natural color (http://www.yourdentistryguide.com/teeth-whitening/), that’s according to terms set by the FDA.  The term bleaching also refers strictly to products that contain bleach, usually in the form of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.

On the other hand, the term ‘whitening’ references restoring teeth to their natural color through the removal of dirt and debris. Thus, toothpaste is in essence a ‘whitener’.

But, returning to the main topic of the article, many people question exactly how safe home teeth whitening kits are to the health of their teeth, and rightly so.

Dr. Ross Chiaramonte (https://ca.linkedin.com/in/rosschiaramonte), a dentist who leads the River Side West Family & Cosmetic Dentistry  (http://www.riversidewestdental.ca/) clinic in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada, clarifies the concern succinctly: “Most home teeth whitening kits do not pose a danger to teeth and gums in and of themselves. It’s how people choose to use them that can pose a real danger.”

Further clarifying his point, Dr. Ross Chiaramonte adds, “Most home teeth whitening products come with instructions on how frequently to use the products. Unfortunately, many of these products lend themselves to being overused.”

Dr. Chiaramonte continues, “When people overuse their teeth whitening products, that’s when we see problems happen.”

Before even beginning the process of whitening one’s teeth either professionally by a dentist or through over the counter products, people should visit their dentist to make sure their teeth are healthy enough for whitening.

Problems arise when people use bleaching products without realizing that they have a cavity or some other issue with their teeth that allows the bleach to enter the pulp or nerve chamber of the tooth. These instances can cause severe pain and cause significant damage to one’s teeth.

Dr. Ross Chiaramonte (https://about.me/drrosschiaramonte) adds, “What I recommend to my patients is that when they are considering whitening their teeth at home, they first come in and get a general check-up to make sure their teeth are healthy enough for whitening. I then suggest that patients tell their dentist what kind of product they are thinking of using. The more information a dentist has, the better that dentist will be able to provide accurate guidance.”

As Dr. Chiaramonte re-emphasizes, the most important thing is that people follow the instructions on their teeth whitening products and resist the temptation of overusing the product.