The perfect Hollywood smile, it’s something few are born with but many aspire to achieve, but is it safe to undergo teeth whitnening procedures? Whilst braces retainers can play an integral roll in ensuring your teeth are pushed, pulled and coerced into place, they do little to help make an individual’s teeth whiter.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss why teeth may need whitening, whether it is safe, and what to do if the worst happens and your teeth whitening procedure goes wrong.
Why do teeth need whitening?
Strictly speaking, teeth don’t necessarily need whitening, it is mostly just for the aesthetic value that an individual will opt to undergo the treatment after teeth begin to turn yellow.
Teeth can change colour for a variety of reasons including but not limited to;
Suffering impact – this can be as a result of a fall or as a result of dental negligence on the part of the dental professional who may carry out sub-standard treatment.
Too much fluoride – this can either be from regular toothpaste or from toothpaste that has higher quantities of fluoride, such as tubes prescribed by the dentist. A dental professional has a duty of care to ensure that their patients aren’t prescribed anything that could harm or damage them, and failing to identify increased levels of fluoride may harm their patient, could result in a dental negligence claim.
Food and drink – Workplace staples such as tea and coffee can stain your teeth, turning them brown and yellow. Likewise, red wine and sugary food and drink can have a similar effect.
How are teeth whitened?
There are several ways that teeth can be whitened. One option that is becoming increasingly popular is using a teeth whitening kit that you use at home.
At-home kits may offer convenience however they are not always as effective as a treatment administered by a registered dental professional. There is also a risk of the mouthguard that is used not fitting properly which can lead to the whitening solution leaking into other parts of the mouth, this is because shop-bought mouthguards are made to a more standard size to fit as many customers as possible.
Who can carry out the treatment?
If you are intent on getting your teeth whitened, then it’s essential you receive the treatment from a registered dental professional.
Receiving treatment from an individual or organisation that isn’t registered is illegal and can also pose a risk to your aural and overall health.
However, any dentist or dental practitioner can carry out the treatment so long as they are registered with the General Dental Council. If you’re unsure whether the dental practitioner you are considering to carry out the treatment is registered with the General Dental Council, you can check the online register by clicking here.
Common side effects
If teeth whitening is carried out by a registered dental practitioner then often it is perfectly safe, however, that is not to say it is without its pitfalls.
Some people who have their teeth whitened experience sensitivity and irritated gums. The pain or irritation often subsides after one or two treatments, however, if the pain continues you should seek the advice of a dental professional who should examine whether or not it is safe to whiten your teeth further.
What should you do if teeth whitening goes wrong?
If your teeth are whitened but the treatment you received was substandard or caused you harm, then you may be eligible to make a dental negligence claim for compensation.
Before you undertake any treatment ensure you have spoken to a dental professional in order to ensure you have all the necessary information to make an informed decision about the treatment.
Our dental negligence team is vastly experienced in handling a multitude of dental negligence cases. If you would like to speak to a member of our team, we offer a free initial interview where we will assess the viability of your claim.
To speak to one of our specialist team call us now on FREEPHONE 0800 1979 345, or complete our simple online enquiry form and we can call you back at a time to suit you.
