When Is Too Much Teeth Whitening Harmful to Oral Health?

Excessive teeth whitening can cause damage. Here’s what you need to know

Who Sarah Novak

Flashing a sparkling set of pearly whites may feel glamorous, but people who are too enthusiastic about using popular teeth whitening treatments can seriously compromise their oral health. TikTok and Instagram influencers are selling tons of over-the-counter whitening products, and celebrities’ usually snow-white teeth can make the rest of us feel self-conscious about our own smiles. And in a 2022 survey, almost half according to dentists, they use social networks to advertise aesthetic treatments.

“Patients want it so white that it looks unnatural,” says Ronald Perry, professor of comprehensive care at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. First, he noticed increased interest “with social media, and then (it) blossomed during the pandemic. People started seeing Zoom’s teeth and thought they looked yellow.”

About 37 million Americans tried a teeth whitening product or procedure in 2020. A wide range of over-the-counter treatments are available in gel-filled trays, lists and pens, while dentists can use powerful whitening gel and lasers. Experts say it’s safe to use external products if you follow the manufacturer’s directions, but they warn that overdoing it can be costly for your teeth: over-whitening can cause damage. enamelthey burn the gums, cause long-term tooth sensitivity or even make the natural color of the teeth translucent.

About supporting science journalism

If you like this article, please consider supporting our award-winning journalism subscribe. By purchasing a subscription, you’re helping to ensure a future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas that shape our world.

Most over-the-counter treatments use the same active ingredient: hydrogen peroxide. An oxidation reaction begins on the surface and underneath a tooth that removes the color, thereby making the enamel more permeable. or even porousAccording to a 2015 study European Journal of Dentistry. Also, in 2018 Journal of Dentistry The study found that direct exposure of teeth to whitening agents, including hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, it can cause uncomfortable sensitivity in the nerve-studded dentin (the stiff yellow tissue that forms a large part of the internal structure of a tooth and covers the nerves). And as the enamel layer degrades, the dentin itself can eventually become visible, completely defeating the purpose of the treatment. “What we see is the underlying dentin is more yellowish,” he says Stephen SterlitzHead of the Division of Restorative Dentistry at the University of Kentucky. “And at the edges of the teeth, where there’s no dentin, it looks like glass.”

Damage caused by occasional whitening applications is not permanent because saliva contains small amounts of electrolytes, including phosphate and calcium, that can help remineralize teeth. Foods like dairy, dark green leafy vegetables and fish also contain some tooth-strengthening minerals, and toothpastes containing fluoride and hydroxyapatite can strengthen enamel. But people who consistently overuse whitening products can develop long-term tooth sensitivity or significant tooth wear, he says. Nadia RodriguezA cosmetic dentist in New York. Hydrogen peroxide can be used chemically in bleaching treatments burn the gumsespecially if the products are not applied correctly.

So how can you get your teeth white safely? That depends on how much polish you start with. “A younger person tends to have more enamel, which means their teeth may be whiter than an older person’s,” says Rodriguez. She says that whitening your teeth to a shade slightly whiter than the whites of your eyes is usually considered good practice.

Moderate teeth whitening is safe and effective, says Perry. Generally, the data shows that this professional whitening is done in the dentist’s office it is generally harmlessas long as people wait at least six months to a year between sessions. Tooth sensitivity is a common side effect, but it usually goes away a few weeks after treatment. Most home whitening kits are considered safe if users follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Many such treatments only need to be applied for a maximum of two weeks, and Rodriguez recommends waiting three to four months before whitening again (at-home treatments contain a lower percentage of hydrogen peroxide than in-office treatments).

Having white teeth can make people feel more presentable and confident. But Rodriguez warns that those bright smiles advertised on social media are often selling a false narrative. “When people have ridiculously white teeth on social media, (it’s likely) they’re not real teeth,” he says. The look can be enhanced with social media filters or achieved through porcelain veneers, called veneers, which can cover blemishes or blemishes.

For most of us who want shiny teeth, Perry says the basics of regular dental health are a good place to start and may be enough. “Before you do anything else, get a professional cleaning to remove hardened plaque, tartar and lots of stains from your teeth,” she says. And only then decide whether additional whitening still makes sense.