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| Is Bleaching of Teeth Safe? |
| By Marc Lazare, DDS New York, NY |
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 Tooth bleaching has proven to be a safe and effective way of achieving a more youthful and healthy-looking smile. In fact, the American Dental Association (ADA) has lent its support and approval for enhancing the esthetics of one's smile via in-office and home bleaching, and, has given its Seal of Approval to a number of whitening systems. The safety of this procedure is directly related to the dosage given, the frequency and duration of treatment, and the concentration of the material used. Some patients may experience sensitivity throughout the treatment while others may not experience any sensitivity at all. Usually, any sensitivity one may experience ceases upon the termination of treatment. A full series of x-rays and a detailed dental history should help determine if someone is more prone to having sensitive teeth. Note that the bacteria inhibiting properties of carbamide peroxide (the material used for bleaching) acts to prevent the formation of cavities during treatment.
There are two basic options for home bleaching: daytime and nighttime intervals. Home bleaching is achieved by wearing a simple appliance, known as a nightguard, which functions as a reservoir for the whitening gel. Patient compliance is usually better at night, although some people may not be able to tolerate going to sleep with the nightguard in their mouth. Night use affords the individual maximum benefit from each application because of the longer exposure time and diminished salivary flow. However, occasionally people may need to reduce the duration of their treatment as a result of sensitivity or personal preference. For these individuals, daytime wear is recommended for 1-2 hour intervals of treatment. It is imperative that your dentist professionally supervise this procedure, and that the mouthguard be custom made to ensure a perfect fit. It should be noted that composite (tooth color) fillings and crowns might need to be replaced after bleaching, as these restorative materials will not change color. Whitening treatment is considered complete when the patient has reached their desired shade.
Dr. Marc Lazare is a cosmetic dentist who practices in New York City, NY.
Getting Started
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Learn more about bleaching now.
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