After the recall of 22 DIY teeth whiteners due to their high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, you may be wondering if it is still safe to buy a home teeth whitening kit. And you would be right to do so…

After all, you want to keep your teeth safe.

Luckily, you don’t have to worry…

Once you know how to identify teeth whitening gels with the appropriate ingredients and concentrations, you can safely whiten your teeth without putting your mouth at risk.

How can I know what is the right concentration?

Most quality teeth whitening gels prefer to use carbamide peroxide (the same as your dentist) to help whiten your teeth.Now concentrations amongst products can vary anywhere between 10%-20%. However for the safest results we recommend choosing a teeth whitening gel which has got a concentration in the mid-range as it will be strong enough to whiten your teeth, but not so strong that it will irritate your gums.

Dr George’s Dental Care for instance offers 120ml/cc of 16% carbamide peroxide which has been proven to whiten your teeth by up to 11 shades in 2 weeks.

What else should I bear in mind? 

If you are genuinely interested in whitening your teeth, then the following safety tips can help you to achieve a whiter smile safely and efficiently:

1. Visit your dentist – not only can your dentist give your teeth a professional clean – which you may find is more than enough to get rid of discolouration – they can also check your teeth for cavities and gum inflammation.Now if for example they discover that your gums are inflamed, then it may be wise to wait until they calm down before using a teeth whitening product.
2. Remember your history – have you already got veneers or caps on your teeth? If you have then it is important to note that these will not be affected by the teeth whitening solution and may end up looking discoloured against your new white teeth.
3. Follow the instructions – don’t be tempted to deviate from the products instructions, especially in terms of how long you leave the gel/strips on for. Longer isn’t always better, as you are essentially putting a bleaching agent on your teeth.For this reason make sure you use the product exactly as they say to, to ensure your teeth and gums don’t get irritated.
4. Be cautious – it is strongly recommended that if you are pregnant or nursing that you don’t use teeth whitening products. At the same time, if you experience any painful gum or teeth irritation, you should stop using the product immediately and speak to your dentist.
5. Don’t go overboard – once you have achieved the shade you want, you will only need to touch up your teeth maybe once or twice a year (depending on how well you take care of your teeth). It is not necessary to do it every week. In fact, do it too much and all you’ll be doing is increasing the sensitivity of your gums.

As you can see, it is possible to safely and confidently achieve a whiter smile. Just remember to check the concentration of the product first; do your research and keep the above safety tips in mind. Once you do, you can begin your path to a brighter, whiter smile.