Archive for April, 2008
In “Just as Beautiful” – April 2008
April 21st, 2008An article by Dr Keith Cohen, from Dentexcel, in “Just As Beautiful” – The UK’s first free Lifestyle Magazine dedicated to the plus-size woman.
According to recent reports from the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry some at-home teeth whitening kits contain dangerous levels of hydrogen peroxide and abrasives, which can cause damage to teeths and gums.
There are a number of different ways to whiten teeth. Dentists usually offer treatment in the chair or at home; over the counter products can be purchased and used at home; cosmetic salons and hairdressers also provide products.
Dentists usually use up to 6% hydrogen peroxide or 18% carbamide peroxide in the dental chair with a bleaching light. Because this is a stronger agent they can apply protection over the gums and lips and use a desensitising agent afterwards.
For home bleaching of their patients, dentists provide a close fitting tray from an impression. This is a lower concentration of gel, but the tray limits the contact of the chemicals with the gums. Over the counter whitening products may contain a lower concentration of bleaching agents or otherwise can be simply breaking down and removing superficial stains without actually whitening the teeth.
There have been a number of cases where the teeth have been damaged by products purchased from cosmetic clinics or unreputable companies where the oral environment and mechanism of bleaching is not fully understood. These products may remove tooth surface by being too acidic or too abrasive in the case of a paste. However, the pH is not normally specified, so you wouldn’t know if this was the case. A high concentration of ‘whitening’ agent without using a close fitting tray may result in excess gel damaging the gums and causing tooth sensitivity.
What seems to be cheaper in the short term may actually be more expensive in the long-term.
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