The most common cosmetic dental treatment in the UK is teeth whitening. Each year tens of thousands of people undergo this painless procedure. But before most patients sit down in the dentist’s chairs, they often ask the same question — is teeth whitening safe ?
In spite of its growing popularity, there are many people who believe that the procedure can be dangerous. In this brief article we are going to address these concerns in an attempt to set the record straight.
Yes. That is the answer to the question. Yes, the procedure is completely safe if it is done properly. And since whitening teeth is something that can often be performed at home, for a professional dentist it is a cinch. So, why do many patients believe that it is dangerous?
The reason so many people are apprehensive about getting their teeth whitened is because earlier solutions and formulas could and often did damage the teeth. These products were often sold over the counter to people with stained teeth, like smokers or coffee drinkers, and they were little more than harsh abrasives. Even if used correctly, these products would often strip the enamel from your teeth, damaging them permanently.
But today’s professional gels and whitening products share absolutely nothing with those products. Rather than relying on abrasives, which damage the teeth, modern products use chemical agents that gradually bleach the teeth and remove stains. There is absolutely no rubbing or scrubbing, abrasives or other harmful solutions.