Paint–on whitener side effects and safety concerns
The major side effects for paint-on teeth whiteners are gum irritation and tooth sensitivity. These products are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so there are no clinical trials to really determine the safety on a clinical basis. However, there are different products out there with varying types and concentrations of whitening agents that can give consumers a choice in how to safely use the product. If you happen to fall into one of the categories of people who find they are sensitive to one product, you may easily be able to use another one without any adverse affects.
When to Take Precautions
If you now that you have sensitive teeth, you shouldn’t start with a product that has a high concentration of peroxide-based whitener in it. Instead, opt for a product with a lower concentration and see if that is sufficient for your needs. The same is true for people who might have less enamel on their teeth due to drinking citrus juices or colas daily. These people can experience some discomfort with paint-on whiteners. If you’ve ever had problems after getting a cleaning at the dentist, with tooth pain or gum sensitivity, then you might want to also start slowly and work you way up. Should the products cause too much discomfort, you can discontinue them and the symptoms should subside within the week, if not after a single day.
The Prevalence of Symptoms
About half of the people who choose to use a whitening product can experience some level of gum irritation or tooth sensitivity. Most people will experience the symptoms during the treatment phase, but they can also experience symptoms afterwards. Some people will experience an increased insensitivity to hot and cold beverages after they do a teeth whitening product.