Is Teeth Whitening Safe? What You Need To Know

by | Apr 16, 2021 | Cosmetic Dentistry

Dental patient

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure used to lighten the colour of dull or discoloured teeth.  If you are considering whitening your teeth, you might ask, “Is teeth whitening safe?”

Although some people whiten their teeth with over-the-counter products, the safest way to whiten teeth is in a dentist’s surgery.

 

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

To whiten your teeth, your dentist uses a special lightening agent onto your teeth. These whitening agents are concentrated solutions of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These solutions soak into your tooth’s enamel into a layer called the dentine. The chemicals then bleach the dentine, causing the tooth to appear lighter.

The whole process in your dentist’s surgery takes less than an hour. You can also ask your dentist for an at-home treatment, saving you time. At Boutique Dental Care, we offer Opalescence for in-chair teeth whitening treatment and our Boutique Whitening treatment for use at home.

 

What Are the Benefits of Teeth Whitening?

Many people choose to go through the teeth whitening process to have a whiter, brighter smile.

Being confident in your smile makes a huge difference in how you feel about yourself, so treating yourself to a teeth whitening session can also benefit your self-image.

Additionally, the process is non-invasive, and many dental practices offer a  to help with the cost.

What Are the Risks of Teeth Whitening?

While many people would love to have gleaming white teeth, many Australians wonder, is teeth whitening safe? While there are risks involved, as with any procedure, teeth whitening carries few risks when performed by a dentist. A dentist uses the correct chemicals in the right amounts for your mouth and ensures you are an ideal candidate before starting the process.

Although teeth whitening requires the use of a type of bleach, Hydrogen and carbamide peroxide used in dental practices in a safe, secured environment means there is little risk associated with this process.

However, the answer to how safe is teeth whitening becomes murkier if you try to lighten your teeth at home or visit an unregulated spa or beauty salon.

At-home products not provided by your dentist are risky. If they have less concentrated chemicals, they could have little to no effect on the colour of your teeth, but if they use the wrong chemicals, have too strong a dose, or have faulty instructions, they can result in severe damage to your mouth.

The real risk of teeth whitening comes from visiting unqualified service providers in places like spas or beauty parlours, who may not use high-quality products or follow the same safety procedures as dentists. The risk involved with one of these organisations performing your teeth whitening is that you may endure chemical burns, injured teeth, or any number of other complications.

 

Choose Boutique Dental Care for Your Teeth Whitening

The helpful staff at Boutique Dental Care are happy to assist you with any questions regarding teeth whitening. Our team is ready with answers whether you want to know about our procedures or if you’re wondering, “Is teeth whitening safe?” Call us on (02) 9054 5281 for an initial consultation or book an appointment online.

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