You’ve likely heard of teeth whitening kits, and the promise that they can whiten your teeth from the comfort of your own home. But are they safe?
In this article, we will be discussing what is inside tooth whitening kits, how they work, and if they are safe to use.
If you are curious to learn more about teeth whitening kits, and their safety, read on.
Inside Teeth Whitening Kits
Teeth whitening kits are becoming incredibly popular online. It is likely that you have already seen advertisements or know people using them, to try and achieve a white smile.
But how do they work? There are a number of ways in which whitening products can improve the appearance of your smile, using ingredients such as:
- Peroxide based bleaching agents: Most teeth whitening products contain bleaching agents such as peroxides, which bleach the enamel, and help it appear whiter. Common bleaching includes hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide.
- Non-peroxide whitening agents: New technologies, such as that used in Boka Whitening products, include the use of non-hydrogen peroxide bleaching agents such as phthalimido peroxy caproic acid that removes surface stains from the teeth.
- Buffering products: Some whitening products, especially whitening toothpaste, use ingredients which gently buff away the top layer of enamel, taking away its surface stains. This leaves behind a whiter layer of enamel underneath. Some natural buffering ingredients include baking soda.
Different Kits and Methods
Whitening Pens
Whitening pens are a popular tool, and are arguably the most straightforward whitening product to use on the market. These pens look like paint brushes, and contain a whitening gel formula, which you can paint onto your teeth. It is then left, on the teeth, where the bleaching agents will whiten the enamel.
Whitening Strips
Whitening strips use the same ingredients found in many whitening pens. However, they are applied like stickers to the teeth. They, too, work by bleaching the enamel, and dissolving surface stains.
LED Whitening Kits
Whitening kits are what people often see on whitening advertisements. These whitening kits are the closest products to professional whitening tools used at dental offices.
Whitening kits look similar to mouth guards, they work by applying a whitening solution to the ‘guard’, and placing it over your teeth. An LED light is then used to enhance the whitening power.
There are numerous formulas available on the market. Whilst most use bleaching agents like peroxide, there are also less abrasive peroxide-free forumales.
Formulas such as those used in the Rapid Radiance Teeth Whitening Kit use Phthalimido-Peroxy-Caproic Acid (PAP), a clinically studied, enamel-safe whitener that targets and eliminates compounds that cause tooth discoloration.
At Home Teeth Whitening Vs Professional Whitening
Over the counter whitening products are popular, due to their convenience, and affordability. Whilst ongoing research is allowing at home products to achieve dentist’s results, there are still benefits to professional whitening.
Professional whitening allows dentists to check on their patient’s enamel, and make sure there is no damage that can be worsened by whitening products, for example.
The Safety Debate
There is often mention of safety when it comes to whitening, especially when ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide are mentioned. Like anything to do with your body, it is important to make informed choices when it comes to cosmetic procedures.
Potential Benefits
The most obvious benefit when it comes to using whitening kits, is the impact it has on our appearance. Teeth whitening kits are extremely popular, and have allowed people to whiten their teeth without visiting a dentist.
A radiant, white smile is often something that can improve appearance and overall confidence. Many of us are guilty of indulging in a bit too much coffee, which can leave us with stained enamel, leaving us feeling a little insecure.
Overall, whitening kits offer a convenient, budget friendly way of improving the appearance of your teeth.
Potential Risks
Like most cosmetic procedures, there are some risks when it comes to teeth whitening, especially when you use unregulated products, or do not follow instructions properly.
Improper Use
It can be tempting to over use whitening products, to speed up the whitening process. Or maybe you’re someone who skips over the instructions manual entirely. Either way, improper use of whitening products can result in uneven whitening, gum irritation and tooth sensitivity.
Products such as Boka’s Whitening Kit contain Nano-Hydroxyapatite (n-Ha) which remineralizes teeth and minimizes tooth sensitivity. This lowers the risk of side effects such as tooth sensitivity after whitening.
The non-toxic fluoride substitute that your dentist recommends, which repairs and whitens enamel while remineralizing teeth to keep them strong and free of cavities.
Unregulated Ingredients
When it comes to buying teeth whitening kits, it is important to buy them from trusted, dentist approved brands.
Whilst it can be tempting to save some money on the cheapest whitening kits audible online, they may contain harmful abrasives or unknown chemicals that can damage your teeth.
Boka’s whitening kits use ingredients which have been studied and tested extensively to insure their safety.
Underlying Issues
If you have underlying dental products, such as cracks, or receding gums, then whitening kits may exacerbate these issues.
If you have been diagnosed with any dental issue, it is important to first ask your dentist if whitening products are safe for you to use. It may also be safer to opt for professional whitening, to ensure the health of your teeth.
Even if you do not have any known underlying issues, but are concerned about sensitivity, and do not often visit a dentist, it may be best to ask for a professional’s opinion about at-home whitening kits.
How to Safely Use Whitening Kits
In general, trusted teeth whitening kits are safe if you do not have any underlying dental problems. However, there are some things to keep in mind to ensure that teeth whitening is done in a safe, and effective way.
- Do not overuse: Whilst it is tempting, it is important to only use whitening kits as directed. This means not leaving the whitening gel on for too long, not using more whitening gel than instructed, and not whitening teeth more frequently than recommended.
- Use a soft bristled toothbrush: Brushing twice daily with a soft bristled toothbrush ensures your teeth are healthy, and that your enamel is not damaged by using firm toothbrushes.
- Avoid sugary and acidic foods: When using whitening products, it is important to take special care to avoid sugary and acidic foods, which can damage enamel.
- Use sensitive toothpaste: Toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth can help remineralize teeth, and supports the health of your enamel.
Dr Anjum Chaudhary (BDS, MDS), consultant endodontist, states, "Tooth whitening is something that should only be done in a situation where your mouth is healthy. Whitening is not the best option for someone whose teeth are discolored due to cavities, periodontal disease, or other issues. For this reason, it's wise to obtain a comprehensive dental examination before beginning a whitening regimen. “
Conclusion
If you are looking into teeth whitening kits, it is important to invest in high quality products, and to always follow the use instructions.
There are some risks which can come with whitening products, especially if you misuse the products, buy low quality products, or have underlying medical conditions. If you are at all concerned about the health of your teeth, and if you can whiten your teeth, it is important to visit a dentist.
It is also important to mention that good dental hygiene and avoiding staining food, will always help to keep your smile bright and healthy.
If you are looking for a trusted whitening kit, try Boka’s Whitening Kit which uses cutting edge technology to achieve whiter teeth, without the use of strong peroxides. Our whitening kit uses LED lights to help enhance the whitening power of our formula, without causing harm to your smile.