Hundreds of Australians are claiming whitening products have caused problems for their teeth after a woman claimed online that purported ‘purple whitening toothpaste’ caused her to need a ‘filling’ — but according to an expert, the reason for the woman’s problem it is likely to be much older. complex.
Content creator Adelaide Hannah Palmer she said after going to her dentist, she discovered she had no enamel left on her teeth from using an over-the-counter at-home whitening product. “That’s your sign, throw away the purple whitening toothpaste” he said. “I just went to the dentist and apparently I have no enamel left on my teeth from using it.”
Hundreds share problems with using whitening products
After she shared her experience online, hundreds responded with similar stories. “I started using it three weeks ago and now I have the worst toothache and a hole in one of my molars,” said one person. “I’m so happy to see this, my teeth hurt and itch. This makes so much sense,” added another.
While many called out HiSmile, some also said that Colgate’s purple toothpaste and Oral B’s whitening product have caused them problems.
Despite this, others have responded to the claims by saying that it is people’s overuse that is causing the problems. “It’s not toothpaste. You shouldn’t use it every day, it’s just whitening paste. You should brush your teeth,” said one.
The expert says whitening toothpaste may not always be to blame
Australian Dental Association spokesman Dr Fadi Yassmin said while it “depends on the formula”, most whitening toothpastes have “a little bit” of peroxide and some “attrition” added to remove stains. “If it’s used more excessively, you’re likely to strip the enamel,” she explained.
“You could find that some patients who use these products are very eager to whiten their teeth, so they end up using too much of it – so it’s not the product itself sometimes, it’s just overzealous brushing.”
He also noted that those who already have sensitivity or problems with their teeth should get it fixed before considering whitening. “Any aesthetic or any aesthetic operation should be [done] between healthy gums without inflammation. so no gingivitis, no bleeding gums,” he said.
“Usually the problem is that you already have the gingivitis, so it needs to clear up completely [first] because these products are not going to fix your gingivitis or have a therapeutic effect as such, they just affect the color.”
OTC products “go under the radar”
After asking your dentist to check “the condition of your mouth,” using “dentist-approved” whitening products is the safest way to go because they’ve been “rigorously tested,” according to Dr. Yassmin.
“A lot of OTC [whitening products] they’re usually not tested, so they kind of go under the radar,” he said.
“While everything approved in dental surgery goes through rigorous testing and approval — it’s been tested in the mouth and has to go through a whole process.”
Adding to this, the Australian Dental Association Policy There should be better legislation regulating certain dental treatments “to protect the public from the dangers of direct-to-consumer dentistry and do-it-yourself dentistry”.
“Some dental treatments, including the provision of mouth guards, orthodontic treatment and teeth whitening with whitening trays, are increasingly being marketed and sold directly to the consumer as Do it Yourself home kits,” it says. “There is minimal regulation of the manufacturers of these home treatment kits.”
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