disadvantages of tooth whitening

[Alexis]

Hi

My teeth have become a bit discoloured over the last few years and I have tried different pharmacy products to make them a bit whiter but I have not had much success. I am thinking about trying professional tooth whitening but have heard mixed reviews about tooth whitening.

Some people say that it made their teeth very sensitive for a while, some of my friends are very pleased with the results of their tooth whitening. I can see one of my friends smile looks a lot better after he had it done.

Could you tell me what are the disadvantages of tooth whitening? Can teeth be whitened effectively without professional tooth whitening? How long do the results of tooth whitening usually last?

[Dr Mohsen J. Esfahani]

Thank you for your post.

Tooth whitening has some disadvantages and the main ones are as follows:

1. Your teeth can become sensitive, at times the sensitivity can be severe.

2. Tooth whitening is unpredictable, patches and lines may appear on your teeth and your teeth may not become as white as you wish them to be. Whitening does not always work.

3. Whitening results eventually fade. The speed of this, depends on your diet and cleaning and varies from person to person.

4. External whitening does not whiten fillings, crowns, veneers and root filled teeth.

5. Gums can be burnt by tooth whitening although this is usually reversible.

6. Teeth can lose vitality, although the chance of this is not very high.


The most effective teeth whitening is whitening carried out by a professional dentist either in surgery or prescribed for home use.