At-home teeth whitening: Is it safe? Does it work?
EUGENE, Ore. -- Teeth whitening commercials seem to be ever present these days. If you walk down the dental aisle in any supermarket and you will be bombarded with different pastes, gels, trays, creams and strips that promise to make your teeth gleam.
But are they products safe? And do they even work?
Dr. Dan Vodvarka says in short, yes.
“Overall teeth whitening is a very safe procedure,” Dr. Vodvarka said. But he only trusts name brand products like Rembrandt and Crest because some others can cause damage. “They’re too acidic which can etch the teeth and then you are losing tooth structure,” he said.
“Overall teeth whitening is a very safe procedure,” Dr. Vodvarka said. But he only trusts name brand products like Rembrandt and Crest because some others can cause damage. “They’re too acidic which can etch the teeth and then you are losing tooth structure,” he said.
Whitening teeth is an oxidization process that literally bleaches the teeth. The most common side effect is sensitivity.
“The sensitivity only will last about 24 hours, but it can be pretty intense,” Dr. Vodvarka said.
That sensitivity can be made worse if you already have sensitive teeth or if you use a product improperly like leaving the gel on too long. The pain ranges on how powerful the product is and how sensitive your teeth are.
“They just ache and they get these zinging pains in the teeth,” Dr. Vodvarka said. Results vary on the product and how long you use it.
“They just ache and they get these zinging pains in the teeth,” Dr. Vodvarka said. Results vary on the product and how long you use it.
Dr. Vodvarka said that the fastest way to whiten your teeth is through a machine.
At his office they use Brite-Smile, a professional teeth bleacher. The powerful machine safely lightens teeth drastically in just one hour. The before and after photos are astonishing. But this procedure will set you back about $600.
If you’re planning on whitening your teeth at home with an over the counter product just remember to follow directions and it should work, with a little sensitivity.
