Understanding the Safety of Teeth Whitening
If you are considering whitening your teeth, you may have questions about the safety of teeth whitening. Understanding the safety of teeth whitening starts with knowing how teeth whitening products work. The safety of teeth whitening products is based on their use of safe bleaching ingredients, usually carbamide peroxide. (1) The American Dental Association's position on the safety of teeth whitening is that ten percent carbamide peroxide whitening products have demonstrated safety and effectiveness when used as directed. (2)
Facts About the Safety of Teeth Whitening
Proper use is essential to the safety of teeth whitening products. Teeth whitening products with bleach, such as teeth whitening strips, are designed to remove both intrinsic and extrinsic stains safely when used as directed. Intrinsic teeth stains are stains caused by trauma to the tooth, or by medications, excessive fluoride use, and normal aging. Extrinsic stains are the stains caused by exposure over time to food, drink, or tobacco products. (3)
Research on the Safety of Teeth Whitening
A study published in the Journal of the Canadian Dental Association (J. Can. Dent. Assoc. 2000;66:421-6) suggested that the safety of teeth whitening products may be affected by the pH level of the products, but more research is needed. The Canadian study on the safety of teeth whitening found that low pH was most often associated with a high concentration of bleach not usually found in over-the-counter products. (4)
(1) http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/teeth-whitening
(2) http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/positions/statements/whiten2.asp
(3) Vogel R. Intrinsic and extrinsic discolouration of the dentition: A review. Journal of Oral Medicine 1975;30:99-104 (cited in Crest 3D White information)
(4) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11040525?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=1
