Risk of peroxide teeth whitening:
Yes, as any cosmetic procedure, peroxide teeth whitening has some small complication risks. The potential risks are:
- Gum Irritation: If whitening gel gets in contact with your gum or lips during bleaching, this may cause inflammation and/or whitening to the soft tissue (gum, lips and oral cavity). This happens because of improper tray use or the wrong application of the whitening gel. The inflammation and whitening of the gums is temporary and any change in the gum color will disappear within 24 hours. Peroxide teeth whitening may irritate gums, peroxide should be in touch with your teeth not your gums.
- Teeth Sensitivity: Teeth sensitivity is more likely happen even with the in-clinic. Especially, if strong chemicals are used. Tooth sensitivity is temporary and may last for a period. People already have tooth sensitivity, mini-cracks, cracked teeth , fillings leak, open cavities or any other oral cases , will suffer from prolonged sensitivity after the cosmetic treatment to whiten their teeth. There is a great article on teeth whitening for sensitive teeth.
- White spots: There is a something called white streaks or spot that may occur after teeth whitening which happen because of Calcium deposits naturally in the teeth. This will disappear within 24 hours.
- Retrogression: This is naturally happening after peroxide teeth whitening procedures. Teeth color will regress to some extent over time. This is usually happens gradually, but sometimes this process may be accelerated by the food intake that cause stains on your teeth like tea, coffee, cigarettes, etc. . The recommended thing is not to eat or drink during the first hour after the teeth whitening process and avoid any staining thing for at least 24 hours. You can eat or drink the uncolored, white or opaque food and drinks within that period.
- Peroxide teeth whitening is not permanent. If you use a professional strong whitening treatment, it usually lasts up to two years. After this period, if you want further or repeated treatments to maintain the white color of your teeth, you can do it, no problem with that.