Teeth whitening products are far from harmless, according to a new study by scientists at Stockton University in New Jersey, according to medical organizations. They warn of side effects such as increased tooth sensitivity and the possibility of gum disease, but they talk about them as problems that go away on their own over time. Meanwhile, hydrogen peroxide, which is part of whitening agents, can damage dentin - the bone substance of the tooth located under the enamel.
Previous research into the safety of whitening products has focused on the effects of hydrogen peroxide on tooth enamel, but no one has thought about how the inner parts of teeth react to it. Researchers from New Jersey already suspected that peroxide easily penetrates dentin, but this time they decided to find out exactly how it affects collagen, a protein that is the most important component of bone substance.
To find out, scientists took the patients' extracted teeth and treated them with pharmacy whitening strips. After immersing them in containers of artificial saliva, the researchers followed the instructions and left them for an hour. Over time, the teeth were extracted and evaluated for collagen. It turned out that after bleaching, it really does become less, and the repeated procedure each time decreases its concentration more and more.
Researchers believe that using whitening strips in moderation is okay. The fact is that the bone tissue of the teeth is produced over time by the pulp of the tooth, and the amount of collagen is gradually restored. However, this takes a lot of time, so it is recommended to carry out whitening as little as possible.
Researchers also warn that people with removed tooth nerves do not need to use bleaching agents. This is due to the fact that such teeth are unable to repair collagen, and the use of products can destroy the teeth.
Ramis Ganiev