The American Dental Association (ADA) monitors the data regarding teeth whitening products and systems to assess their teeth whitening safety and effectiveness. There are two kinds of teeth whiteners, those that actually change the natural shade of the teeth and those that improve and brighten the tooth’s appearance by removing surface stains.

Teeth whitening products can also be self-administered at home or used by a dentist during a professional teeth whitening treatment. Consumers may also purchase a teeth whitening product from a licensed dentist. Those that are interested in over-the-counter teeth bleaching products are advised to consult their dentists first prior to trying these products.

Patients can ensure the teeth whitening safety of a dentist-applied teeth whitening product so long as the dentist is licensed and the product used has the seal of the American Dental Association. Teeth bleaching products used by dental professionals contain a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide. Dentists typically use a laser or other forms of intense light to activate the bleaching property of the whitening agent and accelerate the process. In-office teeth whitening treatments typically lasts an hour while at-home products may require two to four weeks to get the desired result.

Even professional teeth whitening systems that guarantee teeth whitening safety may still cause side effects such as tooth sensitivity, which is common in most teeth whitening treatments and is only temporary. However, worse side effects could be irritated oral tissues or permanent tooth damage. The best way to prevent these from happening is to be careful in selecting your dentist. Check his or her background, training and experience and make sure her credentials and qualifications for performing a teeth whitening treatment are legitimate.

For people who are interested in teeth whitening but have many crowns or fillings or very dark teeth stains, it is best to consult with a licensed dentist or cosmetic dentist who will administer a complete oral examination to find out if bleaching is the appropriate treatment. Should the dentist proceed with teeth bleaching, the use of whitening agents will be based on a carefully designed treatment program that prioritizes teeth whitening safety.

Whitening toothpastes approved by the American Dental Association contain agents that gently polish or lighten the tooth by removing the stains on the tooth surface. Teeth whitening safety of over-the-counter whitening toothpastes can only be guaranteed with a Seal of Acceptance from the American Dental Association. Several of these products have already received the ADA seal and are proven 100 percent safe to use.