Teeth Whitening Essay

1488 Words3 Pages

All healthy teeth are alike; each unhealthy tooth is unhealthy in its own particular situation. Many people believe that having white teeth means that their teeth are healthy, however that is not the case in today’s society. Over-the-counter whitening products are causing harm to individuals teeth. Although teeth whitening procedures can whiten one’s teeth and improve self confidence, many procedures are dangerous to the mouth and body; therefore, these products should be further regulated by the ADA and FDA. Teeth whitening procedures were originally in-office treatments only, but stores now sell at home treatments to consumers. The chemical that makes at home and in-office treatments dangerous is hydrogen peroxide. Numerous whitening kits …show more content…

Once individuals realize how white their teeth can become, they begin to use whitening products regularly to maintain their bright white smile. Using these products regularly is called “bleachorexia” according to an interview conducted on Good Morning America (P.1 line 3). Even though having white teeth is considered a marvelous thing, Dr. Rifkin, in this transcript, explains how “Too much of a good thing can be bad,” especially when it involves something as crucial to someone’s life as their teeth (Pg. 1, line 9). Dr. Ashton, another dental professional who contributed to the interview, also explains how hydrogen peroxide can be damaging to the gums and how at home whitening products can damage the gums and teeth as well as create some discoloration if the user does not consult with a dentist before, during and after treatment. One issue with the purchase of whitening products in the modern society is the ability that consumers have to purchase these products online. A few treatments that individuals purchase online through unverified vendors contain extremely high and sometimes toxic amounts of hydrogen

More about Teeth Whitening Essay

Open Document