Can Too Much Teeth Whitening Be Bad?

Just like with most things, yes, you can overdo it with the whitening. A regular routine of whitening gum, toothpaste, DIY trays and whitening strips and can lead the teeth to appear less lustrous, but they quickly regain their sheen. Signs you’ve overdone whitening include seeing teeth that have a chalky look to them or teeth marred with white spots. One dentist-recommended way of gauging the kind of white you’re aiming for with your teeth is to take a look at the whites of your eyes and let that be your guide for how white you want to go with your teeth whitening.

How Much Is Too Much

Depending on your oral hygiene and dietary habits (i.e. coffee and red wine drinking), you will need to retouch your teeth with at-home whitening treatments in 6, 12 and 18-month intervals. Why could more whitening be problematic? The peroxide in whitening agents can lead to cellular damage, such as gingivitis and oversensitivity, in the gums. Overdoing it with the DIY strips can also wear away the outer shell of the tooth, known as enamel.

Take-Away Advice

Teeth in their natural state are not bone-white, but more of a pearly shade. Stick with matching the color of the whites of your eyes and don’t aim for shades whiter than that.