Dear Beauty Conscious Reader,
Who doesn’t want a sparkling smile?
It’s no secret that good teeth can help enhance your appearance and boost your overall self-confidence. And for the most part, people define “good teeth” as bright, white, and stain-free.
Did you know that teeth whitening is the number one most requested cosmetic procedure in the United States?1 And it doesn’t show any sign of slowing down.
People have been able to take advantage of professional whitening services from their dentists for over 50 years now. And today, you can find whitening strips, gels, trays, and lights anywhere from your dentist’s office to your local grocery store. They’re quick, easy to use, and can be very effective at removing unsightly stains.
Perfect, right?
Not really.
Most of these products contain some kind of peroxide to remove the stains. In some cases, the hydrogen peroxide, along with a variety of other chemicals found in these products, can cause alarming problems such as gum irritation, tooth sensitivity, and – in some cases – tooth decay.
Yep. These products that you may be using to make your teeth look better could make them rot and fall out.
Overuse of at-home whitening kits has some serious risks. Not only can they cause over-sensitivity, they can also damage tissues and wear the enamel down so much that your teeth look almost see-through and very unnatural. Eventually, they can become odd shades of blue and gray.2
You see, the off-white color of teeth that most people find unsightly and unattractive is the color that our teeth are meant to look. It’s really a good thing.
The color of your teeth is based on the amount of calcium in your teeth’s enamel. The more calcium you have, the more color is in your teeth. But, when you use bleach, you’re using a product that contains abrasives so it can scrub away stains left by food, drinks, and other things like smoking. But, it can also scrub away the enamel on your teeth.
This is called demineralization.
Demineralization happens when substances that you put in your mouth starts to dissolve your tooth’s enamel. It can also damage the enamel’s calcium, which can lead to tooth decay.3
Tooth decay can cause a variety of issues including pain, tooth loss, infection, chewing problems, and serious infection that can travel to other parts of your body and make you very ill.
Also, it’s important to remember that bleaching products are fairly new on the market. We still don’t know any of the long-term side effects that may occur.
But, if you’d like to get a more dazzling smile, why don’t you give some natural alternatives a try:
- Strawberries. Mash up strawberries into a pulp and mix with a little sea salt and rub on teeth.
- Baking Soda. Put a little on your tooth brush with your regular toothpaste.
- Crunchy Vegetables. Celery, carrots, broccoli, and cucumbers are naturally abrasive and can help scrub away stains.
To Your Good Health,
Al Sears, MD
- Linda Saether. “How white should your teeth really be?” American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
- Diane Mapes. MSNBC. “Blindingly white: Teeth bleaching gone too far.” Dr. Irwin Smigel. American Society for Dental Aesthetics.
- William W. Briner, John A. Gray and Marion D. Francis, “Significance of Enamel Remineralization.” Journal of Dental Research. www.sagepublications.com.