Not funny at all: how teeth whitening products can ruin your smile

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Teeth whitening products are not without their drawbacks. Studies show that they destroy dentin and the protein part of the tooth, which lies beneath the enamel and gives strength to the teeth.

According to La Repubblica, the results of these studies will be presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Until now, when studying the effects of over-the-counter whitening products on teeth, the main focus has been on enamel. The effects of these products on dentin and the protein part, mainly collagen, have not been studied.

The scientists tested the effect of the active ingredient of these products (hydrogen peroxide) on collagen fibers and dentin.

It turned out that collagen fibers disintegrate within 10 minutes after contact with hydrogen peroxide in doses similar to those contained in whitening products. The effect on dentin has also been demonstrated in vitro with the active ingredient of whitening products.

These products should be evaluated with some caution, especially considering the possible clinical consequences, emphasizes Cristiano Tomasi, member of the Italian Society of Periodontology and Implantology.