According to the American Dental Association (ADA), both over-the-counter (OTC) and whitening products you buy from the dentist are mostly safe and effective. However, the ADA recommends a dental consultation before self-treating in order to avoid making any existing problems with teeth and gums worse.
In addition, the ADA also acknowledges that whitening agents can cause irritation to the gums and tooth and sensitivity which usually goes away shortly after treatment ends.
Another consideration before whitening is whether or not your teeth will respond to whitening strips or another method of bleaching. Dentists can look at tooth discoloration and recommend the best whitening method. Gray and brown tinged teeth won't respond well, and sometimes not at all, to whitening strips, while yellow-stained tooth surfaces likely will improve with bleaching
One other important consideration is how well consumers follow the application recommendations and instructions when using whitening strips. If applied incorrectly or pushed into the gums, extreme sensitivity and soreness may result. Using the strips too often and for too long also can damage tooth enamel and lead to underlying tissue damage below the gums.
Some dentists report that individuals can overuse whitening products When used in excess, however, teeth can become porous and enamel can break down. Teeth can even become almost translucent rather than white, so heeding the recommendations of a dentist and the instructions for the product is advisable.
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