Overhead view of dental whitening trays and gel tubes on aged wood
As with all commercially successful medical products, many people question whether teeth whitening kits are safe. Indeed, there have been questions such as:
• Have the national health authorities certified them as safe for human use?
• Do they have long-term risks such as cancer?
• Do they do your teeth more harm than good, stripping away the tooth enamel?
• Should they really be available to “uneducated” masses for home use or only used by licensed professionals?
Certification
The American Dental Association has approved a variety of professional bleaching products that are applied in-office by dentists or are dispensed by them for home-use. They don’t endorse over-the-counter bleaching products because the prefer people to seek professional advice for reasons of effectiveness and safety. However they have approved certain over-the-counter teeth whitening toothpastes. Though you may want to look out for products with the ADA seal, remember that just because a product does not have the seal, does not mean it is not safe or effective. This is because the process of manufacturers getting a seal from the ADA is voluntary.
With regards to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) certification, teeth whiteners are not classified as drug so the FDA has no say in their regulation.
Teeth Whitening Safety Tips
- Do your research before purchasing a teeth whitening product. For example, look out for the ADA Seal of Acceptance; find out what other people are saying about the product in consumer groups, product reviews, testimonials etc. Try to look for objective information from a number of unbiased sources, instead of just the company’s marketing material.
- Consult Your Dentist– this is really the first step that can save you a lot of time and trouble in the long run. Your dentist can recommend the best treatment plan based on your dental history and even create customized solutions for you such as a made-to-fit mouth piece.
- Go with Trusted Brands– if you are in your local store and really want to purchase a teeth whitening product, stick to one from a trusted brand that has a long history in oral care and has a wide range of oral care products. You definitely don’t want to choose a product from a company no-one has ever heard about.
- Follow the Directions – to really be on the safe side, you want to follow the directions for use exactly as described in the instructions. In this way, you will achieve the desired results without any nasty consequences as compared to using short-cuts.
For any questions call us or make an appointment for a friendly consultation. At Harbour Place Dental in Mukilteo WA we will be very happy to discuss various options with you.
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