The quality of your smile can influence people's first impressions of you. If you were born with off-white teeth or stained them over time, you're not without hope. Most tooth whitening procedures can erase all but the most stubborn stains, reports the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, but you may experience several side effects.
Dental Work Damage
Tooth whitening procedures that use bleaching trays may damage existing dental work if the trays aren't fitted accurately or aren't inserted properly. For this reason, the Academy of General Dentistry advises only using trays provided by your dentist rather than those sold in shopping mall kiosks or online.
Allergic Reaction
Most tooth whitening products contain peroxide. Some people may be allergic to this chemical, according to the Harvard Medical School. Allergic symptoms include rashes or skin irritation.
Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity comprises the most common side-effect when whitening your teeth, even when you use the lowest concentration of tooth whitener chemicals. Dentist Bruce Matis estimates that 50 percent of in-office whitening patients experience sensitivity, as reported by Indiana University.
Gum Sensitivity
Some tooth whitening products may irritate the gums or create a burning sensation, according to Harvard Medical School.
Uneven Tooth Color
Teeth whitening procedures may not evenly whiten all of your teeth, says the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. This may be due to dental work like veneers that may not react to the whitening agents, or certain kinds of staining caused by blood vessel or nerve damage. This may leave you with an uneven smile that requires further work or extra whitening.
