Teeth Whiteners Are No Laughing Matter

January 31st, 2008

Problems can arise when people have unrealistic expectations of teeth whitening systems. Hydrogen peroxide in toothpastes and other teeth whitening products is a highly reactive substance which can damage oral soft tissues and hard tissues when present in high concentrations, if precautions are not taken to contain the material on the teeth with isolation systems. This brings out the dangers of teeth whitening products. In lower concentrations, such as the 6 per cent strength of some home teeth-whitening systems, care must be taken that the product is not overused because of the risk of breaking down the protein present in tooth enamel, leading to the formation of opaque white areas on the teeth.