5 Things You Need to Know About the Dangers of Whitening Teeth

1. Beware Inexpensive Tooth-Whitening Products

If you don't know exactly what's in your tooth-whitening product, you could risk tooth damage.
If you're using one of the popular brands, there has been much research on these products, and if it's a peroxide-based product, then the chances of it harming your teeth are very low. However, some products sold online can have an improper pH balance, which could cause some damage.
If the product is, for example, too acidic, it could etch, or roughen, your teeth. And if your teeth are roughened, they are going to gather plaque more readily.

2. Gum Sensitivity

A common side effect of over-the-counter tooth-whitening products is gum sensitivity. When you use a whitening strip purchased at your drug store, it's nearly impossible to keep the strip off of your gums completely. Plus, various strips will have different concentrations, and high concentration can actually burn the gums if left on too long.
If you know your teeth are sensitive (you feel slight pain when you eat ice cream or drink a cup of hot coffee, for example) and you want to bleach your teeth, then talk to your dentist about the product she can provide to reduce the risk of sensitivity. It is also suggested to use a desensitizing gel in your tooth-bleaching tray for 2 weeks before bleaching.

3. Uniform Coloring

If you have any implants, bonding, veneers, crowns or other additions to your mouth, you should talk to your dentist before whitening your real teeth. Your dentist can help you match that addition to your whitened teeth.
It's preferable to whiten your teeth prior to having any cosmetic procedure done. Otherwise, your bonding, implants, veneers, crowns and other additions will probably be a darker shade than your whitened teeth.

4. See Your Dentist

Some people continue to bleach a dark spot without any results. If a tooth is dark, it might be decayed or dying, so you should have it examined by your dentist.
In general, your dentist should supervise the whitening procedure to allow for the proper diagnosis for the cause of the staining.

5. Gum loss

If you have untreated gum disease and use a tooth-whitening product incorrectly, your gums can actually shrink--and the results aren't pretty. Black triangles between the teeth can when you lose the gum.