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Store-bought teeth whitening kits tend to sound ideal. After all, they claim they’ll give you a whiter smile without the hassle of dental care. Still, you shouldn’t rely on these products too much. You’ll suffer the risks of store-bought teeth whiteners if you do. You’d then be worse off than before treatment. If you’d like, your New York dentist can explain further. Here are four big dangers of using store-bought teeth whiteners too often.
Low-Quality Results
A store-bought whitener may brighten your teeth a bit. Even so, such items rarely show notable effects. They lack the brightening power of professional whitening.
It comes down to the kits’ ingredients. In most cases, the gel they use is very heavily diluted. That means you won’t see big changes until you’ve used multiple kits. Even then, the effect likely won’t be as great as what you’d expect or want. Buying all those products won’t lead to cost-effective results.
Peroxide Allergies
As it turns out, a store-bought whitener may not suit your body. It could cause nasty oral symptoms for those with peroxide allergies.
Indeed, most at-home teeth whitening kits use peroxide. The chemical is one of several that can whiten a patient’s smile. That said, it’s also something people can be allergic to. Using it when you have this allergy can cause swollen lips, oral irritation, and similar reactions. You should thus consult a dentist before you undergo the whitening process.
Burned Gums
It isn’t just hot foods and drinks that can burn your gums. At times, store-bought whiteners are able to do the same thing.
Again, it comes down to peroxide. Overusing a whitener with this agent can upset your gum tissues. This effect leaves the areas around your teeth feeling burnt and sore. At the same time, it can cause parts of your gums to turn white and become inflamed.
Tooth Sensitivity or Damage
Used too often, a store-bought whitener will do more than brighten your teeth. It’ll also damage them and cause tooth sensitivity.
You see, many whiteners sold by stores are abrasive. Those that feature baking soda and charcoal will greatly wear down your enamel. To that extent, overusing them will expose your dentin and make a tooth infection more likely. Adding insult to injury, your teeth may even look worse after treatment.
In the end, risks of store-bought teeth whiteners causing problems exist. Make sure to avoid them by seeing a dentist for professional treatment.
About the Practice
FS Dental Arts is based in New York, NY. Led by Dr. Francisca A. Sanchez, our practice has a strong emphasis on vibrant and reliable dentistry. That means we offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments, as well as emergency dental care. Our office also provides dental sedation services for patients with anxiety toward dentists. For more details or to book a visit, please reach us on our website or call by phone at (646)-669-7407.