Teeth Whitening: Beauty with a Condition of Moderation

Teeth whitening has always been a part of the culture of physical beauty, but in recent years it has gained a very broad market. What do we know about the most commonly used methods, both in commercial products and in dental practices, and the related recommendations? There is a plethora of commercial products available without a prescription for teeth whitening, and many dentists offer whitening services as well. Although most of these products and methods are safe, like any other action, if overused, they can not only lead to the opposite result but also endanger dental health. The COVID-19 pandemic, teeth, and influencers. Nowadays, on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, we see a multitude of influential virtual figures (influencers) making recommendations in every field and trying to attract your attention to expand their market. Some of these individuals directly address beauty products, while others use these tools to enhance their image and present a new norm of beauty; a norm that sometimes following it by ordinary people, without regard to scientific recommendations, can lead to problems. One of these issues is the story of your teeth. While white and clean teeth indicate health and have become part of the culture of beauty, excessive teeth whitening can pose risks to dental health. Finding the right path in this regard is not easy, especially when not only unqualified individuals but also many dental practices have added beauty services to their list of products and services. According to a survey conducted in 2022, only in the United States, half of dentists have turned to social media to promote their beauty services and are competing with influencers to introduce and advertise teeth beautification products and methods. The teeth whitening market, although always part of the culture of physical beauty and considered beyond dental health, gained an unexpectedly broader market during the COVID-19 pandemic. It might have been expected that during a time when restrictions kept many people away from face-to-face meetings, this issue would be less prevalent; however, seeing our faces while talking to others through mobile and laptop screens made many of us aware of the yellowness of our teeth. The relationship between oral health and high blood pressure. There are various methods for whitening teeth, some of which are used in commercial products available at pharmacies, while more advanced methods are employed by dentists. Most commercial products use hydrogen peroxide compounds. This compound initiates the oxidation process of the pigments that cause yellowness on or beneath the surface of the teeth. However, research published in 2015 and confirmed several times thereafter indicates that directly exposing the dental structure to whitening agents can, if repeated, lead to annoying sensitivities that cause temporary pain when consuming hot or cold foods or drinks. Additionally, excessive use of these whitening agents can erode part of the protective structure of the teeth. Fortunately, saliva and many of the foods we consume contain minerals that can help rebuild this outer layer of the teeth, but if the intervals between whitening sessions are reduced, these minerals will not have the opportunity to restore the dental structure. Besides causing sensitivity in the teeth, another consequence of the frequent use of whiteners is gum inflammation due to direct contact of the whitening agents with the gum tissue. For this reason, most of these products recommend that consumers be careful to avoid direct contact of these materials (whether in gel, strip, or other forms) with the gums. Moreover, serious damage to the tooth enamel, which may ultimately lead to transparency of the teeth, is another side effect of excessive use of these methods. Dentists and the scientific community agree that while most products approved by health authorities on the market and the validated methods performed by reputable dentists are safe when safety guidelines are followed, they do present serious recommendations for their use. Following these recommendations can help you achieve white teeth without experiencing side effects. One of these recommendations is to maintain a time interval between uses of these methods. Doctors recommend that the interval between whitening sessions in dental clinics, which use higher doses of whitening agents, should be at least six months and preferably one year. Additionally, if you are using over-the-counter products, you should wait three to four months between uses. While white teeth can not only be a sign of oral health but also enhance overall facial beauty, excessive use of whitening methods, like any other health matter, can lead to the destruction of teeth. Furthermore, slight changes in tooth color are part of the natural diversity among humans and may not be concerning if they are not indicative of dental disease. A few recommendations for teeth whitening: Consult with a dentist: Before starting any whitening treatment, consult with your trusted dentist to find the most suitable method. Follow the instructions: When using whitening products, be sure to adhere to the manufacturer's instructions and avoid excessive use. Limit the frequency of whitening: Limit teeth whitening to reasonable intervals and avoid doing it repeatedly. Maintain oral hygiene: By practicing good oral hygiene, prevent stains and reduce the need for frequent whitening. Avoid unscientific methods: Be cautious of products suggested as traditional or alternative methods for teeth whitening, and always consult your doctor about them.