Everyone desires to have a bright smile. Most people are trying everything they can to get their smiles as bright as possible, which has made them turn to many over the counter whitening kits. Bleachorexia is the obsession for teeth whitening procedures in the hopes of whitening your teeth beyond it’s natural color. However, this practice can cause irreversible damages to the health of your teeth and appearance of your smile.
Damage to Gums
All whitening kits contain hydrogen peroxide, some of them tend to have more then .10% concentration which is dangerous. A high concentration of this chemical can cause severe burns to the soft mouth tissue or irreversible gum recession. Either form of damage tends to increase tooth sensitivity making it difficult to eat or drink anything. Gum recession can also expose your gums leading to tooth loss.
Damage to the Enamel
People who are obsessed with whitening their teeth are always looking for instant results, an urge that can drive them to using anything offered to them.Some of these instant teeth whitening kits used can cause permanent damage to the enamel. Most of the home kits contain chlorine dioxide which is the same chemical used for cleaning swimming pools. Chlorine dioxide will deliver a white glow by getting rid of the stains on the surface of your teeth, but will also remove the enamel. This leaves the tooth exposed,which may lead to irreparable damage.
Can Cause Mouth Infections
Chemical burns will leave parts of your mouth exposed making it vulnerable to numerous bacteria living in it. Mouth infections after teeth whitening is a problem that is common among individuals who do not follow an effective dental hygiene routine, which causes excessive build up of harmful bacteria between the teeth and on the tongue leading to mouth infections.
Chemical Burns
Most of the chemicals used in the production of your typical teeth whitening kits are abrasive and can cause severe irritation and breakdown of the gums. That is why you will be advised to use a mouth guard to help in preventing spillage and containing the chemical gel. Severe chemical burns can occur if you fail to use the guard properly and the gel leaks out coming in contact with your skin and mouth.
What are the Alternatives to Bleachorexia?
The best solution to your teeth whitening problems is a dentist who will offer a wide variety of supervised teeth whitening treatments and tips. A dentist will guide you through a professional teeth whitening process with minimum risks to your health. Make a call to your dentist and start your journey towards having a bright smile.