Teeth whitening is big business. So much so that in 2020 the global teeth whitening market was said to be worth 6.14 billion US dollars and forecast to grow to a whopping 8.21 billion dollars by 2026. But is teeth whitening safe?
The quick answer to the above question is yes, teeth whitening is safe but on the proviso that a dental professional carries it out.
How safe is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening treatments rely on a bleaching agent to lighten discoloured tooth enamel and leave the teeth looking whiter and brighter. Typically, hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide are the main ingredients of whitening products.
Teeth whitening products in Australia are heavily regulated. Under the law, only dentists can use products containing more than 6% hydrogen peroxide or 18% carbamide peroxide. Furthermore, whitening products of this strength may only be used by a dentist for in-chair whitening treatments.
In other words, while a dentist can safely whiten teeth in the dental clinic with products containing high concentrations of peroxide, they cannot supply products of this calibre to patients to use themselves at home.
In essence, whether teeth whitening is safe depends on who carries out teeth whitening treatments and the quality of the whitening products.
Were you aware, for instance, that it is illegal for anyone other than a dental professional to carry out teeth whitening treatments?
So while it may be tempting to book in at your local beauty salon for cut-price whitening, you could be breaking the law and putting your oral health at risk.
What about over the counter teeth whitening products – are they safe?
You may be wondering whether teeth whitening is safe with over the counter products.
When purchased from your local store or pharmacy, these products are safe, provided the instructions are adhered to, and the products are not used excessively.
However, people need to be aware that over the counter teeth whitening products contain relatively low peroxide levels and, as such, are unlikely to achieve the results they had hoped for.
Whitening toothpaste, for example, is unlikely to show any noticeable result for several months, and overuse of this abrasive product could, over time, damage your tooth enamel.
Over the counter whitening trays can be dangerous. Unlike the custom trays provided by your dentist, they are a one-size-fits-all product. This means they may not be a good fit for your teeth, and as a result, the bleaching gel could leak onto your gums or into your mouth, causing irritation or chemical burns.
While whitening strips are pretty effective at whitening the teeth, they have their limitations. If teeth are uneven, the strips may not be in contact with all of them, and the result could be patchy whiteness.
Is teeth whitening safe? Absolutely with Bright-On Bay Dental!
Ultimately, the safest and most effective teeth whitening treatments are those provided by a dentist.
Professional whitening treatments give longer-lasting and more consistent results. Moreover, patients can feel peace of mind knowing that they are in safe hands if any problems arise during the procedure with dentist-supervised treatment.
The dentist will examine your mouth for any signs of tooth decay and gum disease. The teeth and gums must be healthy before commencing any form of teeth whitening. Applying bleach to unhealthy teeth or gums is asking for trouble and will cause sensitivity and irritation.
Here at Bright-On Bay Dental, we give patients the option of in-chair teeth whitening in our clinic or custom take-home whitening kits they can use in the convenience of their homes. Which you choose depends on whether you want white teeth instantly or prefer to whiten them gradually and control your treatment.
In-chair whitening will reward you with a whiter, brighter smile in around an hour – making it an ideal cosmetic treatment to fit into your lunch break.
At-home whitening, on the other hand, may take up to 14 days to achieve noticeable results.
Do you want a whiter smile?
If you’re considering teeth whitening to perfect your smile, there’s never been a better time to do so. Currently, we are promoting a whitening special:
- In-chair whitening – $600
- Take-home whitening $400; or
- Package deal $900 (include in-chair whitening and take-home trays)
Why not schedule a consultation with the friendly, experienced team at Bright-On Bay Dental and take the first step to a beautiful new smile for Christmas. Call us today on (02) 9538 7028 or use our online booking service. We look forward to welcoming you to our dental clinic.
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