What's the problem with teeth whitening? From the horse's mouth...

View PDF | Print View
by: Britney Silver
Total views: 13
Word Count: 624
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2011 Time: 9:01 PM
0 comments

For a long time now, celebrities have influenced many ordinary people to change their behaviour. While some changes may be useful, many may not be. One area which possibly has had the greatest influence is cosmetic surgery and the need to look beautiful. Allied with this is the fad to have ‘pearly white teeth'. While yellow teeth may be something of a put off, can having perfectly white teeth be more of a problem?

The rapid growth in the phenomenon called bleachorexics has alarmed dentists and others who feel people are putting themselves at risk. Having clean teeth is paramount but using products to effectively bleach teeth is quite another matter. Dentists are warning people that while teeth may look aesthetically pleasing, using teeth whitening products could be damaging their health; in particular teeth, gums and throat.

From those in the know

One Harley Street dentist, Dr. Mark Hughes, who specialises in cosmetic dentistry is especially worried with people buying self-help kits, most of which are probably bought over the Internet. He recently commented: "People are increasingly buying teeth-whitening products over the counter and over the internet."

He added: "A lot of the foreign products available are new and haven't gone through any trials or official testing. They may have been put together cheaply, so could have overly aggressive amounts of peroxide in them. That can cause extreme problems with teeth and gums."

Saving money is the major reason for buying self help kits. However, doing this is almost certainly going to result in long lasting damage, ending in a trip to a cosmetic dentist
Dr. Hughes said: "We find this a lot: people are buying teeth-whitening products over the internet, and then having to come in here and spend more money to put it right."

A growing industry

Teeth whitening or more correctly teeth bleaching is a relatively new idea, with celebrities such as Catherine Zeta-Jones, Kate Beckinsale and Britney Spears having starting the trend. In the USA alone it is now a $2 billion industry. Unless dentists are able to have a greater influence on their patients than the likes of celebrities, the need for white teeth looks as if it's unstoppable.

If tempted to get your teeth whitened it is advisable to get it done by a qualified dentist. Buying kits either from a high street store or more dangerously over the Internet should not be considered. To start with, the product itself may not be safe. Nor can you guarantee that the provider is genuine and has the customers' best interests at heart. Making money may be an Internet company's prime motive rather than offering a product that either benefits or is actually needed.

It is this last point that is causing dentists greatest concern. Dr Anthony Zybutz, a London-based cosmetic dentist recently told reporters: "The problems centre around ill-fitting trays, which have the potential to spill peroxide into the mouth itself.
"If the solution leaks out, it can irritate the gums and lead to jaw joint problems. If swallowed, it can also burn your throat.

"This is something you need to have done professionally, not over the counter or the internet."

If you are determined to have your teeth whitened, dentists use two techniques. One uses a laser-activated gel while the other uses a special dental tray impregnated with small amounts of peroxide; patients should use this every night until the desired whiteness is achieved.

The first technique is expensive which probably accounts for the growth in Internet sales. Self help kits make use of trays (which may not fit), strips and even toothpaste.

About the Author

When it comes to whitening yellow teeth there is no point going for the quick fix. You need to get treatment from someone with an experienced yellow teeth organisation or else your yellow teeth could take an ever greater turn for the worse!