The Gazette | 3 risks of home teeth whitening for oral health

Driven by the search for a whiter smile, the practice of teeth whitening has become popular. In the last decade, annual growth in treatment was around 30%, according to data from the Federal Council of Dentistry. Furthermore, professionals’ concern with the quality of the procedure has also increased, as miracle products and homemade recipes for whitening teeth are easily found on the internet.

As a result, Matheus Marcondes, dentist and CEO of Smile University, warns about tooth whitening done at home without professional supervision and lists the risks of the method for oral health. Check out!

According to the dentist, stains, caused by several factors, can worsen due to home whitening procedures. “Abrasive products, in the vast majority of cases, wear away tooth enamel, leading to permanent stains that compromise the aesthetics of the smile. Furthermore, increased sensitivity is a frequent consequence, which can cause discomfort to the patient,” he says.

Another danger is the emergence of pulpitis, a painful inflammation of the dental pulp. Improper use of whitening substances can irritate the nerves in your teeth, requiring specific dental treatment.

Gingival bleeding and irritation of the oral mucosa are common in cases of poorly supervised home teeth whitening. “Home teeth whitening without the supervision of a qualified professional increases the risk of complications. Poorly made molds can lead to the whitening gel leaking into the gums, causing serious inflammation and loss of gum tissue”, concludes Matheus Marcondes.

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