Is Teeth Whitening Harmful?

The main color of teeth is given by dentin, while enamel is almost transparent. During the whitening procedure, the enamel allows the whitening agent to pass into the dentin and then release it back. This process can be compared to washing and rinsing.

However, restorations do not react to whitening. Therefore, after the procedure, a noticeable difference in color may appear between the whitened natural tooth tissues and fillings or crowns. For non-vital (root canal–treated) teeth, internal whitening may be required.

How harmful can whitening be for teeth?

Teeth whitening with modern clinical systems is not harmful if the procedure is performed correctly and all protocols are followed, since it affects not the tooth structures but the pigment located in the inner tissues of the tooth.

But whitening can be dangerous and harmful if done at home using internet advice, such as baking soda or activated charcoal. These substances are highly abrasive, and cleaning teeth with soda or charcoal will scratch the enamel. Instead of white teeth, you will end up with increased sensitivity, and plaque will accumulate much faster due to the roughened surface.

There are also methods of lightening teeth such as whitening toothpastes and strips. In this case, the tooth color changes due to the removal of pigmented plaque or superficial action on the tooth tissues. These tools work, but it is essential to strictly follow the dentist’s recommendations to avoid negative consequences such as sensitivity. Such effects may occur if they are used for a long time as an independent method of whitening.

Contraindications to teeth whitening include:

• Pregnancy: for the health of the mother, the procedure should be postponed.
• Increased tooth sensitivity.
• Carious lesions of the hard dental tissues.
• Inflammatory periodontal diseases.
• Individual intolerance to the components of the whitening gel.
• Anatomical features: with a very large pulp chamber (a wide space in the crown part of the tooth), a chemical pulp burn is possible.
• Significant enamel loss, since whitening causes minimal enamel thinning.