Teeth Whitening 101: Bleachorexia

Bleachorexia

In America, teeth whitening has taken an ironic turn over the past decade. In a desperate attempt to have the whitest teeth possible, many people attempt to mimic award-winning celebrity smiles by bleaching their teeth to oblivion.

Your Boise dentist refers to this teeth whitening craze as “bleachorexia”. “Bleach junkies” are patients that abuse in-office and at home bleaching agents, leaving teeth eroded, prone to sensitivity, and extremely unhealthy, despite their dazzling exteriors.

The media has also done a good job when it comes to marketing whiter smiles. Unfortunately the whitening agents used in most over-the-counter bleaches can irritate the gums, causing them to recede while making teeth brittle, chalky and so thin they appear to be translucent when overused.

Bleach Junkies

“Bleach junkies” use a variety of combinations to whiten their teeth: professional bleaching trays, at-home whitening kits, toothpastes, and a few sessions at a “bleaching spa”. For these people, their teeth are never quite white enough, so they’ll do anything to brighten their smile. Ironically though, over bleaching can actually strip away protective enamel, not only making teeth weak and more prone to decay but allows the underbody of the teeth (which is naturally more yellow) to show through.

If you’re a “bleach junkie”, your Boise dentist will spot your bad, bleaching habit right away. They will then inform you that once you’ve damaged the enamel of your teeth, its pretty much gone for good because it doesn’t grow back. Instead you’ll be considering things like veneers or Boise crowns & bridges to repair the damage.

While bleaching can be done safely, especially under the guidance of a Boise dentist, the advent of at-home bleaching kits and spa bleaching treatments have made it all too easy for “bleach junkies” to double up or triple up on treatments at the expense of your Boise dental health.

Rules of Thumb

At Summit Dental we know that bleaching can be very effective, and safe in moderation. A good rule of thumb is that the color of your teeth should match the whites of your eyes. It’s when your bleaching all the time, beyond what is recommended — that’s when you run into problems. If you are wanting lighter teeth, it’s important to consult with your Boise dentist about your best smile restoration options and preferred whitening method as they are best qualified to remove any external stains while promoting proper Boise dental health.

Schedule an appointment today, and let our Boise dentist help you will all your bleaching needs. We would love to see you!!