For a lot of folks, an ideal smile includes bright white teeth. But with many whitening products sold over-the-counter, teeth whitening can feel like a very casual process — and that can set off alarm bells.
However, while there are many safe ways to whiten your teeth, there are also potential risks. It’s important to educate yourself about how to whiten safely in order to best preserve your teeth in the long run. In this guide, we’ll explain how whitening actually works, how it impacts your teeth long-term, and recommend some tips for ensuring safe teeth-whitening treatment.
Table of Contents
How Does Whitening Actually Work?
There are two different types of staining that can lead to the discoloration of your teeth. Extrinsic (or external) staining is what most people are aware of. Extrinsic staining comes from the food we eat, the beverages we drink, and cigarette smoke. Most teeth whitening treatments can address these stains.
Intrinsic (or internal) staining is a little more complicated. It can occur as a medication side effect, an infection, or simply a byproduct of aging. These stains are more difficult to remove, but it is possible with the right treatment.
There’s no shortage of teeth-whitening options. Conservative approaches like whitening toothpaste, mouthwashes, and even most whitening pens use exfoliation or a light concentration of peroxide to remove surface stains. Some of these products include the chemical blue covarine, a pigment additive that coats the tooth and causes a color shift, making the teeth appear whiter.
Other more impactful over-the-counter treatments include strips and trays. Some of these treatments include a blue LED light, which may enhance the whitening rate, according to some studies. These gel options typically use hydrogen or carbamide peroxide to whiten teeth, though there are alternative whitening agents, such as PAP.
The most powerful teeth whitening options are administered by your dentist, either at-home kits or chairside bleaching. These in-office options use a much higher concentration of peroxide and are the longest lasting.
How Does Whitening Impact Your Teeth Long Term?
Let’s start with the good news: if you use reputable products, follow their directions, and never use treatments on damaged teeth or with active gum disease, the only lasting effect should be a brighter smile. But if you don’t, things can go sideways.
There are several schools of thought about whitening amongst industry professionals, but one thing most agree on is that you should definitely consult your dentist before beginning in-office or over-the-counter treatment. The three main areas of concern are your enamel, your dentin, and your gums.
Enamel
Your enamel is the outermost part of your tooth. It’s a dental tissue that exists primarily to help protect your teeth. Enamel is stronger than bone, but it’s not indestructible. When your dentist cautions you against sugary foods, the enamel is what they are trying to protect. And this is the layer that experiences external staining.
Your enamel can wear down if you overdo whitening treatments (aka, using them too often or incorrectly). There are ways to mitigate this, but once your enamel is gone, it’s gone for good. So approach teeth whitening knowing it has cumulative effects on your body and implement it with a mind for the future — not just the present.
Eroded enamel can lead to problems like tooth sensitivity or weakened tooth structure. It can also darken your teeth, giving them a more yellowish hue.
Dentin
Just beneath the enamel is the dentin. Dentin is softer than enamel and comprises a much larger part of your tooth. It’s also where most of the color in your teeth comes from. This is where internal staining occurs, mostly because of things like aging, mouth trauma, or certain childhood medications. If the enamel gets cracked or otherwise damaged, the dentin becomes more vulnerable. Unlike enamel, however, it can repair itself.
Gums
Many people feel tooth or gum sensitivity after whitening treatment. This rarely lasts very long, but could be your body sending you a signal to cool it with the whitening for a while. Some professionals worry that overuse of whitening treatment could potentially lead to gum recession over time, so it’s important that you follow treatment guidelines — especially with unsupervised at-home methods.
Are Some Whitening Products Safer Than Others?
There are a lot of whitening products out there, some of which are made by unknown manufacturers using unclear or suspect ingredients. Then there are people making their own mixtures of peroxide and other ingredients at home — which can be dangerous. Never use questionable products or DIY pastes for whitening your teeth; stick to well-known and well-reviewed products.
However, a good product used incorrectly can also cause issues. Many people assume that if the product says to use it for 15 minutes a day, 30-minute sessions or two treatments per day is even better. This overuse and misuse can severely and permanently damage the enamel. And if you have active tooth decay or gum disease, you could harm the roots and nerves of the teeth.
So, how can you be sure your whitening methods won’t hurt your teeth? The safest way to whiten your teeth is to have your dentist oversee your treatment. That said, over-the-counter products are quite safe as well. Just verify that the brand is reputable and the ingredients are suitable for you, and always follow the directions.
The newest whitening craze might be tempting, but be sure to do your own research. For example, certain methods that are accepted as natural and wholesome — like charcoal toothpaste — actually pose potential dangers with continued use.
So, what are some of your options when it comes to safely whitening your teeth? There are plenty. Here are the most common.
Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste is considered a mild but effective way to manage some external staining, though there are some potential hazards. Because of their typically abrasive nature, they may not be suitable for long-term use. Consult your dentist before using any charcoal toothpaste, which doesn’t have much research and is potentially more hazardous than traditional whitening toothpaste.
Whitening Mouthwash
Whitening mouthwash is less of a stain remover and more of a way to maintain teeth that have already been whitened. But this is a great addition to a good oral hygiene routine, particularly after meals! Try to use one that whitens, but also contains fluoride to help protect enamel from tooth decay.
Over-the-Counter Gel Trays and Strips
At-home gel whiteners can be an inexpensive way to get a bright smile. Depending on the brand you choose, full results can take 7–14 days.
The trays fit kind of like a retainer; you’ll put the whitening agent inside or directly on your teeth and bite down. Whitening strips already have whitening gel on them and you simply place one on your top set of teeth and one on your bottom. Sometimes, these kits come with LED lights that help to speed up the chemical reaction that breaks up and lifts out stains.
The concern with these treatments is that the tray or strips might not fit your mouth very well, leading the whitening gel to leak onto your gums. The gel (more specifically, the hydrogen peroxide in the gel) is what causes temporary burning and sensitivity in the teeth and gums. With whitening trays, be careful how much gel you are actually adding because it can spill over. Customized trays minimize this risk.
Whitening Pens
Whitening pens are a handheld way to “paint” the teeth individually in whitening gel. Though easy to apply, this method typically doesn’t deliver significant whitening, since our saliva usually gets in the way and makes it hard for the peroxide to do its job. You also can’t use pens on your molars since your cheeks touch them, so these only whiten the front 6–8 teeth. Trays and strips don’t allow our lips, cheeks, tongues, and saliva to interfere the same way.
Whitening pens are similar to whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes in that they aren’t necessarily the right tool for removing significant stains, but they can be a good tool for maintaining an already whitened smile. You can throw one in your bag for a night out if you know you’re going to be drinking red wine and unable to brush your teeth for a few hours. It’s like a Tide-to-Go Pen but for stains on your teeth!
Custom Whitening Trays
Custom whitening trays are made to fit your teeth perfectly, leaving a small well on each tooth where the gel will go. Your dentist can make them and pair them with professional-strength gel or you can use an online company and take impressions yourself. These trays help keep the gel contained, preventing gum sensitivity.
Chairside Whitening
This method offers the most rapid results and the most professional oversight. Your gums will be protected during this process. You can still get sensitivity afterward, but likely less so than over-the-counter options and you will be monitored by your dentist. This method uses a higher concentration of peroxide so the results can be dramatic and long-lasting. They also have the best chance of tackling challenging intrinsic stains.
How Often Is It Safe to Whiten?
This very much depends on your particular set of circumstances, but it is not safe to whiten daily or even weekly in perpetuity. Once your enamel is gone, it is gone forever, so be mindful of the future when you begin your whitening journey.
There can sometimes come a point where your teeth will no longer respond to whitening treatment. Whitening overuse can lead to long-term sensitivity or even a translucent appearance from chronic enamel wear. If you opt for an in-office treatment, your dentist could track the shade of your teeth to catch when your progress hits a plateau. Doing an at-home kit makes this a little more difficult since it’s tough to notice those small changes in your appearance.
Talk this through with your dentist and follow the treatment plans so you don’t damage your pearly whites by leaving the treatment on too long.
What if I Have Sensitive Teeth or Gums?
Sensitive teeth and gums can mean many things, some of which are harmless and others that are more concerning. Though sensitivity can mean something relatively benign, it can be hard to know without a professional opinion whether yours might delay treatment.
There are more potential hazards associated with over-the-counter products than with dentist-administered treatment. If your dentist is doing your treatment themselves, they can protect your gums from peroxide much more than an over-the-counter option.
With over-the-counter treatments, products can be one size fits all. The problem: not all mouths are the same, so sometimes, the gel might spill onto your gums. If you have sensitive teeth or gums, and your dentist gives you the go-ahead to get your teeth whitened, a dentist-supervised method will be the best way to ensure the protection of your sensitive teeth and gums throughout treatment.
If you have gum disease, even as mild as gingivitis, your dentist probably won’t administer treatment until your issues are resolved. Depending on the severity of your condition, some will have more complicated healing processes than others, but having gum disease does not automatically rule you out from getting whitening treatment in the future.
There are also over-the-counter options that contain less than 10% of hydrogen peroxide. So if your dentist thinks you’re fine to move forward with treatment and you want to make sure you avoid discomfort as much as possible, sticking with these low-peroxide options will probably be a better match for you.
Some toothpastes are designed to help people with whitening sensitivity. They typically contain potassium nitrate, which helps seal the tiny tubules of the tooth to protect them from that “zing” feeling or painful sensitivity.
Ways to Reduce the Negative Effects of Whitening
Over-bleaching can have some serious consequences, but you can make certain choices that help maintain your whitened smile longer — necessitating fewer whitening treatments. If a bright smile is important to you but so is your long-term oral health, these preventative measures may provide the best of both worlds.
Fluoride Strengthens the Enamel
You may hear some cities boasting about the high fluoride content in their water. They’re right to boast! Fluoride is a great ally for you on your teeth whitening journey. Even though enamel cannot regenerate once it’s gone, you can still protect it. Fluoride strengthens enamel and protects against decay. You can choose a toothpaste or mouthwash with fluoride to add this helpful mineral to your oral hygiene routine.
You can also get fluoride treatments at your dentist, which not only aid in the protection of enamel but protect against cavities as well (which can delay whitening treatments). These treatments aren’t necessary for everyone, but if you’re prone to tooth decay, they may be a great addition to your dental appointments.
There are fluoride supplements but check with your dentist before taking these. Even with fluoride, you can get too much of a good thing.
Straws Are Your Friend
We know people are sick of being told that coffee and soda stain their teeth. Many of us love our rituals so much it can be hard to change them. We get that! So if you can’t give up staining beverages, we recommend adding a straw. Using a straw to consume classically staining drinks will help bypass your teeth completely.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
This may seem obvious, but deciding to have a dedicated oral hygiene routine can really make a difference in how long your whitening lasts. Be sure to brush twice a day and floss every day — especially after meals. Even just rinsing some water in your mouth after a meal can help maintain your smile in the long run!
Let Your Saliva Do Its Job
Saliva is an amazing little helper. It washes away much of the sugar and acid that stays on our teeth after a meal. To keep the saliva flowing, it’s important to stay hydrated. Drinks like soda or alcohol dry out your mouth — so not only are you dealing with the acidic damages of these drinks, but you also don’t have the help of your trusty saliva. Be sure to drink a lot of water if you consume soda or alcohol.
Limit Acidic Food and Drink
We all know that at our dentist’s office, sugar is public enemy number one. However, that doesn’t mean if you’re sugar-free, you’re in the clear. Highly acidic foods like citrus and very starchy foods (which break down into sugar) like bread or potato chips can have a similar effect on your teeth.
Again, we know no one wants to hear that some of their favorite foods can tarnish their hard-earned smile. So if you are not interested in parting ways with these foods, getting into the habit of rinsing your mouth out with water after consuming highly acidic foods and drinks can help mitigate any damage.
It’s best to wait at least 30 minutes after a highly acidic meal before brushing your teeth. Before then, it can actually be harmful to add the abrasion of brushing into the equation while your saliva is trying to do its thing.
Final Thoughts
If you want to brighten your smile, though there are risks, there are also many ways to help mitigate those risks — especially if you are willing to change some of your habits. A few simple tweaks can put you in a much better position to maintain your bright smile.
If you want the fastest results with the most professional oversight, an in-office treatment (or an at-home plan designed by your dentist) will likely be the best path for you. If you want something milder, a whitening toothpaste might be a simple tweak to your habits that can gradually help whiten your smile.
At-home kits yield relatively fast results that can last months, but these options have slightly greater risks than in-office ones. Just be sure to follow their directions carefully, while continuing with regular trips to the dentist.
There are many paths forward with teeth whitening that can be safe. Just open a dialogue with your dentist and keep up your good oral hygiene habits!
Frequently Asked Questions
What teeth whitening treatment provides the most noticeable results?
Professional in-office treatments. You can complete them in a day (or depending on circumstance, over a few sessions) and will make your teeth significantly brighter.
Does charcoal toothpaste work for teeth whitening?
Since it is abrasive, it may help remove some surface stains, but most activated charcoal brands do not contain fluoride, which can put your enamel at risk. Charcoal toothpaste is not for everyday use and you should consult your dentist about it before adding it to your oral hygiene routine, since it can wear down the enamel. It is not supported by the American Dental Association (ADA) because of its potential risks.
What’s the best whitening system for coffee drinkers?
Many over-the-counter whitening options can address external stains like coffee stains, and they make it affordable to maintain your results if you aren’t interested in giving up the habit.
I’m in a rush; what’s the fastest-working whitening system?
An in-office whitening treatment is the fastest option for teeth whitening. You can have whiter teeth in one session. Sometimes treatment may be administered in a few sessions, but the results will still be more significant and faster than at-home brands.
Does whitening work for everyone?
No. Unfortunately, if you are dealing with severe gum disease or have many fillings, treatment may not work for you. It’s best to check in with your dentist to see what your options are.
Does LED treatment provide better results?
Its purpose is to activate the whitening agent on the teeth to make treatment more effective, but research is somewhat mixed on how much of a difference LED light can make.
What is the one food/drink I should cut out of my diet to preserve my teeth?
We know that food is very personal and deciding to cut something out can be complicated and even emotional for some. However, if you want to improve your oral health and are willing to do so, we’d recommend cutting out soda to start. Its acidity and sugar content can significantly harm your chances of a healthy mouth.
If the bleaching agent gets on my gums, will my gums become lighter?
They will get lighter, but only temporarily. However, this can cause damage to the gums and lead to severe oral health problems. Additionally, gum color is a big indicator of their health. Lightening them could mask significant issues.
Will these treatments work on my veneers or crowns?
Whitening treatments will not work on unnatural materials beyond removing surface stains. If whiter teeth are part of your treatment plan, your dentist will likely have you whiten your teeth before making any final crowns or veneers. This way, all your teeth will match.
What are the best ways to protect my whitened smile?
Good oral hygiene and regular trips to the dentist, plus an awareness of how to prevent future staining through diet and lifestyle choices.
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