Risks Posed by Over the Counter Teeth Whitening Treatments

It’s not unusual for patients to come to our clinic seeking a whiter and brighter smile. However, many are not sure of the best method for brightening their teeth. There are countless over the counter whitening products available in stores today, ranging from whitening toothpastes, strips, gel-filled trays, mouth rinses, even whitening pens. It can be confusing for patients to choose which method is right for them.

In fact, many patients try countless over the counter products before visiting a dental office for professional treatment. Over the counter products offer some improvement to the condition of your smile. However, these results are less dramatic than professional treatment and are often short-lived.

Even more concerning, is the method that many over the counter products use to clean your teeth. Professional products protect your gums and use a light-initiated whitening power to brighten your smile. Many over the counter products use abrasive products to scrub away stains from the surface of your teeth. This is damaging to your enamel and can actually cause extensive damage to your teeth with prolonged use.

Over the counter whitening gels, when used without dentist supervision, can also cause damage to your gums and surrounding mouth tissues. Many patients have a tendency to leave these products or white strips on their teeth for longer than advised causing even more damage to the surface of the teeth.

To learn about our family dentistry practice in Hudson Valley, make an appointment.