If you are someone who wants to achieve a dream smile, but is worried about how it may affect your enamel, you are not the only one.
In this article, we will cover how whitening products work, and how they may affect your enamel’s health.
Read on to learn more about whitening, and if it's safe for your teeth.
Understanding Enamel and Teeth Whitening
Whilst most people aspire to have a gleaming white smile, and are quick to reach for a tooth whitening kit, not everyone understands what they do, and how they affect your enamel.
In order to understand if tooth whitening is safe for your enamel, it is first important to understand the enamel’s role and what happens during the whitening process.
Enamel's Role
Enamel is the hard coating that is found on the outer layer of your teeth. In fact, it is the hardest substance found in the human body. It has a natural white sheen, but because it is exposed to food and beverages we consume it can often become stained.
Enamel's main role is protecting the inner layers of the tooth, which carry nerves, blood vessels and other important structures from cavities, physical damage, and sensitivity.
Without enamel, there is an increased risk of tooth decay, infections, gum diseases and an overall loss in appearance of your teeth.
The Whitening Process
Whitening products are designed to remove surface stains found on the enamel. These stains often accumulate due to food and drinks we consume, think coffee, tea and food colorings.
Whilst enamel is naturally white, these stains can make our teeth appear yellow.
The ingredients found in whitening products gently buff away at this stained enamel layer. They help to dissolve a very small, stained portion of the enamel, leaving behind a whiter layer of enamel underneath.
Not all whitening products are made the same, there are numerous different ingredients which are used to whiten teeth. Many ingredients are stronger, work better, or have the potential to be more irritating than others.
Types of Whitening Products
Whitening Toothpaste
Toothpaste is a popular whitening product. It works by slowly buffing away surface stains over a period of time.
Ingredients such as baking soda, coconut oil, and n-Ha are often used in non-toxic whitening toothpaste and work by dissolving surface stains on the enamel.
Whitening Pen
Whitening pens are a popular choice for teeth whitening due to their convenient application. These pens typically contain a gel with either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which work to bleach the enamel and lighten the color of your teeth. However, some formulas may cause sensitivity.
A pain-free alternative is available, powered by Phthalimido-Peroxy-Caproic Acid (PAP) – a clinically studied, enamel-safe whitener that targets and eliminates compounds that cause teeth discoloration. Additionally, nano-Hydroxyapatite (n-Ha) forms a protective barrier over teeth as you whiten, ensuring a comfortable and effective experience.
Whitening Strips
Whitening strips are a popular teeth whitening method that traditionally uses peroxide to bleach the enamel and dissolve stains. They are applied directly to the teeth and left on for a specified period.
Our whitening strips take a different approach. Instead of peroxide, they are powered by PAP and nano-hydroxyapatite, expertly crafted to eliminate stains without causing sensitivity. This unique formula is peroxide-free and pain-free, actively promoting healthy tooth enamel while effectively whitening your teeth.
Whitening Trays
Whitening kits are the closest products to professional whitening that can be brought for at home use. They can be brought in different formulas, either with peroxide or peroxide alternative like Phthalimido-Peroxy-Caproic Acid (PAP), and are often used with LED lights to enhance their whitening power. These trays are used like mouth guards, and placed over the teeth for about 30 minutes.
Whitening Gels
The peroxide-based whitening gels are frequently applied on the teeth using a toothbrush. They work either on their own or in conjunction with dental trays.
Professional Whitening
Teeth whitening can often be done in dentist offices. Professional whitening uses whitening products and LED lights to enhance their power. Oftentimes, dentists can give advice on how much whitening can be achieved based on the condition of your enamel.
Can Whitening Damage Enamel?
If you are someone who is conscious about their health, and still want to achieve a gleaming white smile, you may be wondering if these teeth whitening processes can damage your enamel.
Fact
If you have healthy enamel, whitening products, when used properly, will not permanently damage your enamel.
Most, trusted tooth whitening products are made to only penetrate the very outer layer of the enamel. For people with healthy enamel that have a thick enamel layer, tooth whitening products will not cause any permanent damage.
Also it is important to use whitening products as they are intended, and to always follow instructions on whitening products.
Excessive or improper use of at-home kits with high peroxide concentrations can weaken enamel over time.
High concentration of peroxide can cause some mineral loss of the enamel, as well as dehydration, which can be harmful.
Fiction
All whitening products are made the same.
Whilst many whitening products look similar, they are often made with very different ingredients. These ingredients are often what whiten your teeth, but also what could cause damage to your enamel if overused.
For instance, some whitening products utilize Phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid (PAP) as a key ingredient. PAP is a non-peroxide whitening agent that works by breaking down the molecules responsible for discoloration in your teeth.
This approach allows for effective whitening without the harshness of peroxide, reducing the risk of enamel damage and sensitivity.
Other whitening products are made with high concentrations of peroxide, and are more likely to cause some damage to the enamel when overused.
Sensitivity vs. Damage
Temporary tooth sensitivity is a common side effect of tooth whitening. This is because the nerve endings can become temporarily irritated. This irritation and sensitivity only lasts a few hours to a few days, and is not permanent.
Permanent enamel damage can be caused by very high peroxide concentrations, improper use of whitening products, or using whitening products on already weakened enamel. This damage is irreversible, and causes pain for long periods of time. There may also be visible signs of enamel erosion.
If you experience tooth sensitivity after using whitening products, it's crucial to take a break from whitening and use desensitizing products to alleviate the discomfort.
To avoid these issues altogether, consider using peroxide-free alternatives like PAP in your whitening products.
PAP is an effective whitening agent that doesn't compromise the health of your enamel, providing a safer and more comfortable whitening experience.
Whitening Safely
Using safe whitening products while trying to achieve your dream smile is important to protect your enamel. Other safety measures, such as maintaining oral health and seeking help when there are signs of enamel damage, are also important.
Professional Whitening
Visiting a dentist’s office for whitening procedures is one of the safest ways to achieve a white smile.
Dentists will ensure that your enamel is strong enough to withstand whitening products used. They also have access to safe products, and use certain technologies to achieve a white smile.
If you are worried about the impact whitening may have on your teeth, or if you are wondering whether your enamel is healthy enough to use whitening products, visiting a dentist’s office is the best thing to do.
Using At-Home Kits Safely
At-home whitening kits allow you to achieve a white smile from the comfort of your own home, and are often more cost-effective than professional services. However, there are some key things to keep in mind in order to protect your enamel while using at home whitening kits.
Using products with lower peroxide concentrations will help make sure that your enamel is not damaged. These products often use other ingredients such as baking soda and n-Ha which help whiten the enamel without causing damage.
When using any whitening product, it is important to not overuse it, even if it can be tempting. Overusing whitening products is often the leading cause of enamel damage after whitening.
Maintaining Oral Health
Maintaining good oral health, whether you are whitening your teeth, is important not only to maintain the appearance of your smile, but also to protect it from cavities and other dental diseases.
Tips for maintaining good oral health
- Brush twice a day: Use a soft bristles toothbrush in order to protect your enamel and never brush right after eating acidic foods, or after throwing up. When brushing your teeth, it is important to use toothpaste that can protect your enamel, whilst cleaning your teeth.
- Floss before brushing your teeth: Regularly flossing is something that many people neglect, but is important to protect both our teeth and gums. Flossing helps to remove the plaque that can build up between your teeth, and protects your gums.
- Regularly visit the dentist: Visiting the dentist once to twice every year makes sure that any damage to your enamel is noticed and treated early, before it gets worse. They can also check your teeth for decay, possible infections and overall health.
- Watch your diet: Try to limit your intake of sugary and acidic food and drinks. If you are concerned about the appearance of your teeth, limiting your intake of coffee and tea can help avoid surface stains.
According to Dr. Anjum Chaudhary MDS, "Teeth whitening products can be beneficial tools to use because they can help you achieve a brighter smile. However, they are not a replacement for maintaining good dental hygiene. Before beginning any whitening routine, it is a good idea to consult with a dentist to confirm that the whitening product and the procedure will be both safe and effective."
Conclusion
Safe and effective whitening is possible, as long as you use trusted products, and do not overuse over the counter products.
Whitening products, such as Boka’s range of whitening products are gentle enough to use on healthy enamel, and achieve a white smile using cutting edge technology.
If you are new to whitening, products such as whitening toothpaste, or a whitening pen, is a great place to start. For the more advanced user, a whitening kit can be the best way to achieve a white smile from the comfort of your own home.
If you are in doubt of how to use whitening products, or which one is right for you, it is important to consult a dentist. A dentist will help you protect your enamel. After all, a healthy smile starts with healthy enamel.