Some Home Teeth Whitening can lead to Permanent Damage

By Sarah Leavitt - Medical Research Editor | November 5th, 2010

Many self-treatments for teeth whitening can lead to permanent teeth and gum damage, experts cautioned.

White teeth have become a popular trend. Treatment for teeth whitening is the most requested cosmetic service today, says the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

The affect? Self-treatment for teeth whitening is becoming increasingly popular against expensive professional dental treatments. Some professional treatments can cost up to $18,000.

The problem lies in where people get their self-treatment advice. Many techniques are advertised online by people with no formal dentistry knowledge and are proving hazardous. These techniques are particularly popular among teenagers and young women.

White teeth have become a trend. One girl from Cleveland described herself as ‘bleacheroxic.’ “I’m obsessed,” the 23-year-old stated.

Some professionals have attributed the increased problem to the internet. “There seems to be a growing concern among teens about their teeth, and the internet offers many whitening recipes,” said Professor Anthony Eder, clinical director of the London Tooth Whitening Center.

Such self-treatments include brushing one’s teeth with soap, salt, baking soda and hydrogen peroxine, or bleach. These procedures can erode the enamel covering the teeth, which, among many problematic results, can lead to darker teeth as opposed to lighter.

100,000 people undergo formal teeth-whitening procedures annually, ten times more than the number who did so five years ago.

Self-treatments seem like good alternatives- but make sure to do proper research beforehand!