Easy Does It – Home Tooth Whitening May Reduce Enamel Strength
Over-the-counter tooth whitening kits are available in almost every retail dental care section, all promising one thing; a whiter, brighter smile. Considering they are purchased at your leisure and without a prescription or supervision from your dentist, home bleaching kits have the potential to be over used when the results you desire have not been achieved. When considering tooth whitening options, keep in mind these findings from a study lead by Shereen Azer, assistant professor of restorative and prosthetic dentistry at Ohio State University.
The study, which involved five popular brands of home tooth whitening product, found the enamel from human teeth lost some of its hardness after the subsequent application of the product, when following the manufactures instructions for usage. According to Azer in a press release, “There is some significant reduction in nano-hardness of enamel, but we are talking on a very minute scale. So even though it may not be visible to the human eye, it’s important for research because that’s how we improve products.”
Tooth whitening products contain either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, both considered to be the active ingredient used to penetrate the enamel and whiten the tooth. Even though the findings of the study only indicate a slight reduction in enamel strength, perhaps the repetitive, or shall I say, addictive use of over-the-counter whitening products should be further analyzed. Over use of whitening products may damage the gum tissue and/or cause undesired grey tooth shade. Without supervision from a trained dental professional, the addition of weakened enamel can now be added to the list of side effects common with tooth whitening such as tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. Certainly professional whitening products are not in the clear by any means, however the difference is professional take-home whitening kits and professional in-office whitening are preformed under the supervision of a dentist with the progress closely monitored with follow-up visits. If the results you are hoping to achieve have not been obtained after a full cycle of proper use, your dentist is able to recommend alternative products or treatment methods. If any side effects are noted by your dentist the necessary treatment or discontinuation of the product will be recommended to you.
If you are considering whitening your teeth, it is recommended to speak to your dentist before making a decision on the type of treatment best suited to your situation.
