The desire to achieve that classic beautiful smile encourages many people to consider teeth whitening services. Over-the-counter whitening products are often the first choice for dental patients, especially because they are so affordable.

Still, this leaves people wondering if there are risks of over-the-counter products. Much of the problem is not necessarily that these whiteners are dangerous, but they do pose short-term risks and issues related to appearance. Looking for these risks may change your perception on over-the-counter whitening products.

1. Over-the-Counter Products Provide Only Partial Whitening

When you use whitening strips, they tend to work well for the front teeth, but they may skip any of those teeth beyond the immediate front six. While you should not expect the whitening products to cause any damage to hardware like crowns and bridges inside your mouth, you may notice a distinct difference in color when you smile.

2. Some Products May Increase Tooth Sensitivity

Over-the-counter whitening products may cause your teeth to feel more extreme sensations caused by hot and cold foods. With this increased sensitivity also comes possible weakness of the teeth with overuse of whitening. Your dentist will advise you to stop using your whitening products if you feel weakness.

3. Store-Bought Bleach May Irritate Gums

Bleach found in many of these over-the-counter products cause gum irritation because it makes its way through existing cavities into the gum tissue. This is critical to recognize because there is no dentist supervision to ensure that the gums are not becoming too inflamed.

4. Improperly Fitting Bleaching Trays Cause Stomach Issues

If you are using over-the-counter bleaching kits with trays that are considered one-size-fits-all, you could be swallowing a large amount of the bleach that is missing your teeth. When the bleach hits your stomach, it may cause some problems depending on what types of active ingredients it contains.

5. Users May Increase their Own Dosage

When you are using your bleaching kit, you may use more bleach than is necessary. Ultimately, this increases your exposure to active ingredients in the bleach. When you go to a dentist’s office such as Jay A. Hollander DDS, whitening ingredients are measured and administered carefully. Otherwise, you may begin to notice transparency in your teeth.

While over-the-counter products are typically not intensely dangerous, they do pose some risks to your teeth. For this reason, many patients opt to consult with a dentist as they consider teeth whitening treatments.