Can Teeth Whitening Damage Teeth?

To many, having a beautiful smile means showing off your perfectly white teeth. People often turn to teeth whitening treatments to achieve this look. They use whitening strips and gels to brighten their teeth and give them the confidence to smile proudly. It’s important to know why and how teeth become discolored and process to whitening them.

Why Teeth Turn Yellow 

Someone interested in whitening their teeth may wonder how their teeth got so discolored in the first place. Tooth discoloration, to a small degree, is entirely normal and affects almost everyone because of things like genetics and daily living. However, some things can speed up the process of turning your pearly whites a yellowish hue. Some of the biggest offenders include:

• Consuming a lot of tea, coffee, soda, or wine

• Smoking

• Not properly managing your dental health care

• Diseases

• Certain medications

• Old age

• Genetics

How Teeth Whitening Works

Tooth whiteners use hydrogen or carbamide peroxide to essentially “bleach” your teeth. The peroxide contains oxygen molecules that react with the chemical bonds holding stains on your tooth enamel together to break them apart, resulting in teeth that appear whiter. 

Different teeth whitening methods contain different amounts of peroxide. At-home whitening kits usually contain less peroxide than what in-office whitening procedures use. 

Does Teeth Whitening Damage Tooth Enamel? 

Whitening your teeth does not directly cause damage to the tooth enamel. The main reason that teeth whitening may damage your teeth is if it is done incorrectly. Leaving a solution on for too long or not paying attention to your body’s reaction can dehydrate your teeth. However, sensitivity is normal after having your teeth whitened. Most clients see results right away, with more noticeable changes after several visits.

To learn more on how One Manhattan Dental can assist with your comprehensive oral healthcare, call (212) 223-3632 or book your appointment online today.