Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
Professional teeth whitening is safe when it’s carried out under the supervision of a trained dental professional, like the ones at our East Grinstead and Rochester practices. Kits sold in shops or online may carry risks if they are incorrectly used, or if you use them when you have untreated dental issues such as gum disease or cavities. DIY or home remedies for whitening your teeth are similarly risky and should not be used.
At Enhance Smiles, we use dentist-prescribed take-home kits with carefully controlled levels of whitening agents, giving you a safe, dentist-supervised way to whiten your teeth. You’ll get detailed advice on how to use your kit, with a final in-practice appointment to finish up.
How teeth whitening works
At Enhance Smiles, we use Boutique, one of the most highly reviewed whitening brands in the UK. We’ll give you a take-home kit for you to use at home. Before you start the teeth whitening process, brush and floss your teeth to make the whitening more effective.
Boutique provides a leaflet for patients with detailed instructions; it is important to follow these so that the whitening agents can work quickly and safely. You’ll have an appointment to ensure that your trays fit properly, and we’ll show you how often and long to wear them, and how to protect your gums.
Usually, you’ll wear your trays for between 3 and 4 weeks, or until you’re happy with the colour of your teeth.
Is teeth whitening bad for your teeth?
Professional teeth bleaching does not damage your teeth if it is carried out in practice or under dental supervision. Teeth whitening products are regulated under UK law and cannot contain more than 6% hydrogen peroxide (or 16% carbamide peroxide) if used at home. This is strong enough to whiten your teeth but does not exceed safe limits.
If you buy a kit from a shop or online, this is unlikely to work as well as a kit prescribed by a dentist, as the legal limits for shop-bought whitening agents are much lower. Without dental supervision, there is also more of a risk of side effects from using the gels incorrectly, or wearing them too long.
You may have seen several unverified ‘home remedies’ promoted on social media, such as baking soda and lemon, or coconut oil pulling (swirling coconut oil in your mouth). Unfortunately, there is no evidence these work, and they may even damage your teeth.
When you come to visit us in our East Grinstead or Rochester practices, our dental team will examine your teeth and gums to make sure you have good enough oral health to whiten your teeth. We’ll be able to give you detailed advice on teeth whitening before you start. This includes how long to wear your Boutique trays.
If you follow these instructions and do not leave the gels or trays longer than the time your dentist recommends, your teeth should whiten safely within 2-6 weeks.
Common side effects of teeth whitening
The main side effect of tooth whitening is sensitivity to hot food and drink; according to Boutique, up to 70% of patients experience some sensitivity during the teeth whitening process, and a small number of people may experience pain. Some people also experience some irritation on their gums and lips.
These effects are usually temporary and should not affect whether you are able to complete the treatment, but if you do experience pain please contact us so we can ensure that the trays are fitting properly and treat any underlying problems.
What happens to tooth enamel during whitening?
If you’re nervous about what whitening does to your teeth, here’s exactly what happens to your enamel during the process, and why it’s nothing to worry about. Properly carried out, while you may experience some short-term sensitivity, teeth bleaching is safe and does not damage tooth enamel.
1. Whitening agents enter pores in your enamel
The oxidation process will temporarily open up pores in your teeth. Whitening agents (hydrogen or carbamide peroxide) will enter through these pores without eroding your healthy enamel structure.
2. Stains broken down
The whitening agents will break down stubborn pigments and stains on your teeth without dissolving or thinning the enamel itself.
3. Possible mild short-term side effects
You might experience some short-term tooth sensitivity as pores in your enamel are opened and the whitening gels stimulate fluids in tiny channels in your tooth. Your enamel might also become temporarily dehydrated, but won’t be damaged.
These effects typically only last a short time. However, if your tooth sensitivity does not improve, or worsens, please contact us in Rochester or East Grinstead.
4. Natural recovery
After each whitening session, your saliva should naturally rehydrate your teeth, easing any sensitivity. Use your trays until you’re happy with the shade of your teeth, making sure to follow the guidance given by our dental team.
Who should not have their teeth whitened?
Professional teeth whitening is a low risk procedure, and if your dental health is good you should be able to whiten your teeth with our Boutique teeth whitening kits.
However, there are a few situations where you might need to reconsider having your teeth whitened. These include pregnancy and breastfeeding, peroxide allergies, severe decay, receding gums, gum disease or tooth sensitivity. We also do not carry out teeth whitening procedures on patients aged 17 or younger.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Teeth whitening is not recommended if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. This is because of a lack of safety data, and the fact that hormonal fluctuations while you’re breastfeeding could worsen any gum sensitivity.
Peroxide allergies
Teeth whitening gels contain hydrogen and/or carbamide peroxide, and unfortunately an effective alternative has not yet been developed for these chemicals. If you have a peroxide allergy, we therefore do not recommend whitening your teeth. However, we may be able to recommend alternatives, such as composite bonding or veneers.
Decay, tooth sensitivity and gum disease
If you have untreated decay or gum disease, or if your teeth are very sensitive, we do not recommend teeth whitening as the gels can leak onto your gums, any more sensitive areas or cavities. We recommend having these treated before your teeth are whitened.
Receding gums
Any exposed tooth roots or cementum will not lighten; whitening these may increase the risk of side effects.
Patients under 17
According to the NHS, patients under 17 should not get their teeth whitened. This is because younger people generally have larger pulp chambers inside their teeth, and their enamel is generally more porous. This increases the risk of complications and could lead to uneven results.
We offer a range of treatments, including Invisalign, for children or young people who feel self conscious about their smile; simply contact our practice in East Grinstead or Rochester if you would like to book an appointment.
Is teeth whitening toothpaste bad for your teeth?
Teeth whitening toothpaste is safe for your teeth when used with the right brushing technique. However, with two main categories of teeth whitening toothpaste available on the market today, it is not always easy to work out which one to buy.
The two types of teeth whitening toothpaste you’re likely to see are surface stain removers and bleaching toothpastes. Both are safe when used with a soft-bristled toothbrush, using a gentle brushing technique.
Surface stain removers
Surface stain removers are designed to gently polish your teeth, whitening them by removing staining food particles, plaque and tartar.
Bleaching toothpastes
Bleaching toothpastes work faster and have long-lasting results. However, as with teeth whitening, they can sometimes cause tooth sensitivity, especially if you brush too hard, and don’t work with composite bonding, veneers, crowns or implants.
Before you use any bleaching toothpaste, speak to your dentist or hygienist. If you do experience any sensitivity, you could try alternating it with regular toothpaste or buying a bleaching toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Remember to brush gently and use your toothpaste no longer than needed!
How to whiten your teeth safely
The safest, most effective way to whiten your teeth is with a dentist-approved whitening kit; if you buy online or over the counter, you could have poor results and increase the risk of damage to your enamel. Our dental team will always ensure that you receive professional advice on teeth whitening, and are here to answer any questions.
Here are a few simple rules to follow:
Use dentist-led methods
Custom take-home trays and in-office bleaching are both safe ways to whiten teeth, as they keep whitening agents to safe, effective limits. Our dental team will answer any questions and give you detailed advice.
Get a checkup first
When you come for your initial appointment, we’ll examine your teeth and gums to make sure there is no active decay or gum disease, making sure you’re good to go. We’ll also take measurements of your mouth for your custom whitening trays.
Do not overuse teeth whitening agents
Whitening your teeth can take a few weeks, and it can be tempting to overuse your whitening gels at first. However, using too much, or whitening too many times a day, can cause sensitivity and other side effects. When you come to see us at Enhance Smiles, we’ll let you know how often and how much to apply.
Use trusted, dentist-recommended brands
Using products like baking soda, charcoal or lemon on your teeth will probably not work and may even harm them. Similarly, kits bought online or over the counter without the supervision of a dentist are likely to produce patchy results. Boutique has become one of the most popular teeth whitening brands in the UK, and is easy to use and comfortable.
How safe teeth whitening really is
So, does whitening damage teeth? Professional teeth whitening, like the Boutique whitening kits we offer at Enhance Smiles, is safe when carried out under dental supervision, although some patients may experience side effects such as tooth sensitivity or some gum irritation. Simply follow the instructions given by your dentist; within a few weeks, your smile should be noticeably brighter.
While teeth bleaching will not be suitable for everyone, for many of our patients in East Grinstead and Rochester, it is a cost-effective and long-lasting way to eliminate stains and make your teeth whiter.
Find out if Boutique teeth whitening is right for you
Frequently asked questions
Does teeth whitening hurt?
Teeth whitening should not hurt if carried out under dental supervision. However, temporary tooth sensitivity is a common side effect, and a small number of patients may experience some tooth pain or irritation on the gums or lips. Boutique whitening trays are custom-made for your individual smile, so should not cause discomfort while you are wearing them.
However, if you do experience pain, please contact us at our practices in Rochester or East Grinstead; our dental team are here to help.
Can I whiten my teeth in a beauty salon?
We do not recommend this; under UK law, teeth whitening treatments must be carried out under the guidance of a trained dental professional. Our Boutique whitening kits are a cost-effective and safe way to whiten your teeth.
Can I have teeth whitening with dental implants?
Most dental restorations, such as veneers, crowns, fillings or composite bonding, cannot be whitened, so if you do choose teeth whitening with dental implants, you may experience patchy or unsatisfactory results, although the whitening process will not damage the teeth or implant itself. We usually recommend that patients have teeth whitening before any restorations, if possible.