Preventing Tooth Decay To Maintain Healthy Teeth

Dental Whitening Techniques That Can Ruin Your Teeth

Some people will use a wide variety of different tactics and products to get the whitest teeth possible. While some individuals will experience some brilliant results, not everyone will have such a positive experience when it comes to extreme tooth whitening. If you want to protect your teeth and also enjoy the benefits of whitening, then a professional can help. However, if you are feeling gung-ho about at home whitening, then keep reading to learn about a few different techniques that can actually hurt your teeth:

Chlorine Dioxide Whitening

You may know that tooth whitening products are typically made with peroxide-based solutions. The whiteners are made from carbamide peroxide and they turn into hydrogen peroxide as they oxidize. While the whitening agents are safe, they can burn the soft tissues of the mouth. This is one reason why a dentist will use a protective gel to cover the gums before an in-office whitening is completed. 

In response to the perceived dangers of the peroxide-based whiteners, some companies started making products with chlorine dioxide. The agent is quite popular in the United Kingdom, but there are some fairly widespread concerns about safety. Chlorine dioxide is the same chemical used in some swimming pools to clean and sanitize the water. Unfortunately, the low pH of the chemical can actually etch the teeth and leave permanent pits in the tooth enamel. 

If you see any product that is labeled as a safe alternative to peroxide-based solutions or if you see anything that indicates that it can whiten quickly, then be aware that you may damage your teeth.

Natural Acids

If you are weary about commercial products and how they can damage the teeth, then you may think that an all-natural solution can surely keep your teeth in good shape. However, all-natural and at-home treatments can do just as damage, and sometimes even more, than the ones you can buy online or at your local pharmacy. This is true if you decide to apply strong acids like lemon juice, crushed strawberries, or apple cider vinegar to the teeth. All of these acids can eat through the dental enamel in much the same way that something like chlorine dioxide can.

There are some other types of natural products that can cause problems as well, like charcoal and sea salt. These strong abrasives can be used to release surface stains, but they also can leave deep scratches in the enamel. Scratches that reach deep in the enamel are likely to collect debris. This can result in extremely stained teeth down the road.

Contact a dental office like Pike Dentistry for more information and assistance.


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