“Is tooth whitening safe?”

No harm at all.

You don't need whitening unless you have cosmetic problems.

Done professionally, it is safe

I am a 58 year old female dentist and drink coffee daily. I have been using Ultradent's Opalescence On the Go 15% whitening kit for myself and my patients and I feel that it is safe and does work! Some patients may be a little sensitive so we recommend Sensodyne toothpaste or Pro Enamel toothpaste for a few days afterwards which seems to help!

Tooth whitening done by a dental professional does not harm your tooth structure if it is done right. The key is to use the right material and methods. Also it is extremely important no to over-treat.

Over-the-counter tooth whitening works, but the one-size-fits-all trays that come with those often allow the bleach solution to irritate the gums. Professionally made bleach trays are designed to keep the bleach away from the gums. They also generally come with a much stronger solution for quicker results. Bleaching will not permanently harm your enamel. There are studies of people that bleach regularly for a year with no ill effects. That is not usually necessary. After bleaching your enamel will be slightly porous, but the minerals in your saliva will correct that in a few days. That's why we tell our patients not to smoke or drink dark liquids during and immediately after bleaching, because the porous teeth will be temporarily more likely to stain in spots. But don't worry about harming your enamel. As long as you follow the directions, everything should be fine.

By using a reputable dentist tooth whitening is safe if it is not done in excess.

OTC whitening rarely causes problems, but is usually limited in effectiveness. You can discuss more effective options with your dentist. Whitening does not harm enamel as long as it is supervised by your dentist.

Most lightening products, including all those available from your dentist, are safe.

Yes, it is fairly a safe procedure, as long as you do not overdo it, and do not use it at very high concentrations (for home care I recommend 15% Carbamide Peroxide). My tip to you is to do it gradually at a lower concentration than do it fast at high concentrations. If you need to get fast results get it done at a dental office under supervision of a dentist, as it’s not safe to use it if you have sensitive gums, severe recession(s), exposed roots, or deep cavities.

When directions are followed, teeth whitening is safe and will not damage enamel. The bigger question is what is effective. Over-the-counter products have limited whitening ability and, depending on what shade range you are in to start, OTC products may not work at all. Do not have high expectations for OTC products. Professional whitening is more expensive, but it works. If you want white teeth, have them professionally whitened and then maintain the whiteness with OTC products.
Watch the video to see how it’s done and our results: https://www.lansdalecosmeticdentist.com/cosmetic-dentistry/teeth-whitening







Keep smiling,

David M. Kaffey, DDS









David M. Kaffey, DDS

Leading Dental Solutions, President

2032 North Broad St., Ste 1

Lansdale, PA 19446

215.368.6636

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Montgomery Bucks Dental Society, President

PO Box 633

Green Lane, PA 18054

215.234.4203

www.mbds.org

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Tooth whitening is safe and effective if directions are followed. Too often I see patients whiten for too long. Whatever system you choose, follow the instructions and you will be safe!

Jossi Stokes, DDS