Are There Side Effects from Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is an extremely popular and very simple cosmetic procedure performed to remove or reduce discoloration on the surfaces of the front teeth. It is one of the safest cosmetic dentistry procedures available, and causes very few side effects. When side effects do occur, they are rarely serious.

Side Effects of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is performed using a strong bleaching agent that removes stains from the surfaces of your teeth. This bleaching agent can cause irritation to the soft tissues in your mouth. During in-office whitening, your dentist will use a protective gel to prevent the whitener from contacting your lips and gums. However, if the whitener does make contact with the soft tissues, you might experience minor discomfort after the whitening procedure. [pullquote]Teeth whitening is one of the safest cosmetic dentistry procedures available, and causes very few side effects.[/pullquote]

Whitening can also lead to sensitivity in your teeth. Sensitivity can be a short- or long-term side effect. The discomfort due to increased sensitivity is usually minor, and in many cases disappears after a period of time. This side effect is more likely to occur in patients who have naturally thin enamel or naturally sensitive teeth.

Another minor side effect that can occur with whitening is that your whitened teeth might no longer match your other teeth. Whitening is typically performed only on the front teeth, so if you have back teeth that show and that are also discolored, your smile might continue to look discolored even though your front teeth have been successfully treated.

Advantages of Professional Whitening

Whitening performed in the office with professional tools and safeguards is much less likely to lead to side effects than at-home whitening. When you whiten your teeth at home with over-the-counter products, you are more likely to accidentally expose the soft tissues of your mouth to the bleaching agents. In the office, your dentist will be able to protect your mouth during the procedure.

To find out more about teeth whitening and how it can help you improve your smile, please contact the office of Dr. Sweta Sheth to schedule an appointment.