Toothaches: Cause, Remedies and Long-term Solutions

Posted on: 16 January 2015

Every celebrity these days seems to have a perfectly even, brilliant white smile.  If you have around $600 to spare, you can have one too.  That's roughly what a professional dental whitening treatment will set you back, and many people think it's worth the expense to 'get the look'.  However, if you don't have that sort of money to play with, you could always go down the home teeth whitening route.  But are these cheap DIY products really safe to use?

Home whitening

There are certainly plenty of products to choose from in the home teeth whitening product displays at your local chemist or supermarket, and there are even more out there on the internet.  They're much cheaper than a professional cosmetic dental treatment (starting at as little as $10) and they work too.  But beware--some of the ingredients can be extremely harmful.

One of the worst culprits and the most popular and seemingly effective home whitening products are gel-infused strips.  All you do is remove the strip from its packaging and stick it onto your teeth.  Minutes later, you have a dazzling white smile.  Unfortunately, the effects only last a few days and then you have to repeat the treatment.

Danger zone

Effective they may be, but these kits can be extremely dangerous to your teeth.  Some kits, especially those you can buy on the net contain harsh chemicals that can be very damaging to your teeth.

In some cases, the primary active component is an acid which can cause chemical burns to your gums and tongue if used incorrectly.  It also destroys the tooth enamel permanently, causing increased sensitivity and, in some cases, tooth loss. 

That's not all; despite the initial stunning results, your teeth will actually finish up even more discoloured than they were when you started.  The damaged enamel means that your teeth have lost their natural protection and will therefore become more easily stained.

Other DIY products seem harmless enough on the face of it; whitening toothpastes, for example.  These use abrasive ingredients to polish up the teeth and remove staining.  Unfortunately, over-abrasion and over-use can also permanently damage the tooth enamel.

Consult your dentist

If you are keen to get that Hollywood smile, avoid the DIY route and visit a qualified dentist who specialises in cosmetic treatments.  Discoloured teeth can be indicative of dental problems such as disease, and it's extremely important that your dentist assesses you before you commence any sort of whitening treatment.

In conclusion

The long-term side effects of many readily-available tooth bleaching products are as yet unknown, and whitening might not be suitable for everyone.  Always seek the advice of a professionally qualified cosmetic dentist before you commence any course of whitening treatment.

For more information, contact a business such as Smile Central.