Patients often ask me if there is any harmful effect from tooth whitening. I tell them that I have been performing whitening procedures in my office for about 20 years. In two decades of observation of my patients and hundreds of patients who whitened their teeth in other dental offices, I have never seen harmful effects to the teeth caused by bleaching gel. Yes, it is possible to burn your gums if your bleaching tray isn’t well constructed. But I’ve never seen damage to the teeth themselves.
In fact, research has shown that many products that we eat and drink are more harmful to our teeth than bleaching gel. A recent study at The Eastman Institute for Oral Health- part of the University of Rochester Medical Center- found that acidic fruit juices are much worse for our teeth than bleaching gel. Orange juice markedly decreased hardness and increased the roughness of tooth enamel. Many other liquids including soda, sports drinks and wine are also erosive to enamel.
This doesn’t mean we should stop enjoying these beverages. It just means we need to follow the “everything in moderation” rule. The people who are most at risk for tooth damage from acidic liquids are those who slowly sip their beverages. Healthy saliva normally buffers the acid and repairs the damage caused by acid. However, slowly sipping a drink over an extended period of time is more likely to cause permanent damage.
So, enjoy your orange juice but don’t over do it. And enjoy the pleasure that a brighter smile can give you without worrying about harming your precious enamel.
