Teeth Whitening: How to Prevent Bleachorexia from Ruining Your Teeth
Teeth whitening can remake a beautiful smile, boost self-confidence, help your career, and even make you look years younger. But you can have too much of a good thing. Just like over-tanning or over-bleaching your hair, over-whitening your teeth is a real danger. It’s possible to have such an obsession with teeth whitening that you could fall prey to “bleachorexia.”
“Bleachorexia” is a type of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) characterized by compulsivity and obsessive behaviors. A person who suffers from bleachorexia is obsessed with cosmetic dentistry, taking teeth whitening to the extreme.
We discuss how the difference between teeth whitening and bleaching, what happens when you use teeth whitening excessively, and how to approach whitening in a more healthy way.
Teeth Whitening vs. Teeth Bleaching
Though many confuse the two, there is a significant difference between teeth whitening and teeth bleaching. Teeth whitening helps you return teeth to their original color. On the other hand, teeth bleaching is more intense and has the purpose of going for completely white. Standard bleaching methods include strips, pens, brushing, gels, and laser treatments.
We strongly discourage you from incorporating any bleaching aspects into your teeth whitening regimen. If you opt for over-the-counter whitening products, they should have a peroxide solution, not bleach.
Seeking a nearby dental provider or cosmetic dentist for teeth whitening treatments can help you get the look you want. Doing it professionally rather than at home will help you preserve your dental health.
The Health Effects of Excessive Teeth Whitening and Bleaching
Too much teeth bleaching can strip away the enamel, the tooth’s protective layer. Without enamel, your teeth are more susceptible to decay and infection. Bleaching erodes your enamel, contributing to super-sensitive teeth that crack and break, possibly leading to tooth extractions. Excessive teeth whitening can also irritate and damage your gums, making them bleed when you brush or floss.
The dangers of eroding your enamel and damaging your gums are the same as other harmful effects of BDDs, and much of the damage is irreversible. There is no way to heal a cracked tooth damaged by aggressive whitening. Instead, you’ll likely need tooth extractions and replacements.
The Cosmetic Effects of a Teeth Whitening Obsession
Teeth bleaching doesn’t have the cosmetic effect you might hope for. Underneath the surface, teeth are yellower than the enamel. Once you’ve eroded away your enamel, whitening can actually darken your teeth, totally defeating the purpose of cosmetic dentistry. You might also notice the difference between a natural, healthy white smile and a bluish, bright smile with translucent teeth.
Excessive whitening or bleaching can have a counter-effect, causing you more need for cosmetic dentistry. You’ll likely need to consult your local dentist for porcelain or composite veneers for teeth that are permanently discolored, and weak teeth that are likely to crack will eventually need crowns.
Talk to Your Family Dentist about What’s Best for You
Consult with your neighborhood oral health provider if you are considering teeth whitening. They can best advise you after looking at the strength of your enamel. You can also ask them about in-office teeth whitening treatments or take-home kits.
Consider more holistic teeth whitening methods by eating fruits and vegetables rich in malic acid. Beneficial veggies include broccoli, beans, carrots, peas, potatoes, tomatoes, and rhubarb. Also, try fruits like bananas, apricots, blackberries, cherries, lychees, peaches, pears, and nectarines.
A combination of lifestyle changes and a couple of smile enhancement sessions at Beckham Square Family Dental can give you a bright and healthy smile that stays white for a long time. There’s nothing wrong with wanting a bright smile. But it’s essential to balance health and appearance. If you or someone you know displays signs of bleachorexia, a combination of counseling and professional dental treatments may bring your unhealthy focus on teeth whitening back into balance.