FAQ#10: What Are The Potential Side Effects Of Teeth Whitening?
There are lots of potential side effects of teeth whitening – some of which are rather unpleasant and irreversible! These include:
- Increased tooth sensitivity (usually temporary)
- Permanent changes to the tooth enamel (the effect of hydrogen peroxide, the chemical that causes the bleaching effect, on tooth enamel is irreversible)
- Resin-based filling materials can be weakened
- The soft tissues of the mouth (gums, tongue, lining of the cheeks and lips, throat) can also receive chemical burns from the bleaching agent. This can result in inflammation, blistering and pain
- If the whitening gel gets onto the skin or into the eyes this will cause severe irritation or burns
- If the whitening gel is swallowed it can cause irritation to the throat, oesophagus and stomach: sometimes these areas bleed as a result http://www.toothwhiteningfacts.com.au/What-can-go-wrong.htm