We all crave a great smile. It can make you look more confident and successful. If you are self-conscious about your teeth and smile and are considering teeth-whitening procedures, listed below are the benefits and risks of teeth whitening.

1. Confidence and appearance
When listing out the benefits and risks of teeth whitening, let’s start with the great impact that teeth whitening can have on your confidence levels. When you have sparkling clean and white teeth, your confidence level rises, making you feel attractive. As a smile is one of the first things we notice in someone, whiter, brighter teeth can create an excellent first impression. White, unstained teeth also make you look healthy and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles around the mouth.

2. Teeth-whitening options
Depending on your time and budget, there are many options for teeth whitening that are available. You can opt for over-the-counter whitening kits or home whitening kits, you can try home remedies or choose to have the procedure done by a trained and qualified dentist. Some home remedies, such as brushing your teeth with baking soda, would, however, take time to show results, and if you are short of time, a professional whitening procedure would be the best option. Also, in most cases, home remedies and home whitening kits can only remove surface stains. Therefore, the condition of your teeth and the extent of stains on them should be considered when you pick a teeth-whitening process. Although there are many options available, one of the benefits to list among benefits and risks of teeth whitening is that they are all non-invasive, painless procedures with little or no side effects.

3. Sensitivity of teeth and gum irritation
Teeth-whitening products most often contain peroxide and other chemicals and should not be used by those with sensitive teeth. Also, because of these chemicals, pregnant and nursing women should not opt for teeth-whitening procedures. In some cases, the overuse of whitening products can also lead to pain and irritation.

4. Tooth damage
Another risk that should be considered when listing out the benefits and risks of teeth whitening is tooth damage. In some cases, products or bleaching agents used in the procedure can seep through a crack in a tooth or an unfilled cavity. In addition to being extremely painful, this can cause internal damage to the tooth that might require further treatments and procedures such as a root canal.

Now that you are aware of the benefits and risks of teeth whitening, you can discuss the same with your dentist before you try it.