With the increasing value many people place on sparkling white teeth as part of an attractive smile, more and more consumers are requesting teeth whitening, also known as bleaching, when they visit their dentists.

Through the popularity and convenience of at home teeth whitening products, consumers are opting to use thee over the counter teeth whitening products over professional procedures for many reasons, but they should first know the risks that they may be taking when they choose to do at home teeth whitening procedures.The risks oral health experts associate with bleaching include tooth sensitivity and damage to the roots of teeth. Dentists may be able to help patients alleviate sensitivity and recommend toothpastes designed to treat sensitive teeth. Dentists can also monitor patients for signs of root damage and treat the condition if detected in time.

Understanding how these teeth bleaching works can really help know what risks you are putting your dental health into. Dental experts believe that children first set of teeth are whiter than the ones they get when they are adults, and this is mainly due to the various factors such as the "internally" darkening of the tooth through the changes of colors in the dentin. There is also the "external" darkening of the tooth due to stains from smoking, coffee and other factors. The fact that not all stains can be whitened by over the counter products means that consulting your dentist before using any of these products can really help protect your dental health from any dangers.

The best course of action if you bleach your teeth is to continue a program of preventive dental examinations. Maintaining a relationship with your dentist is an important part of maintaining good oral health.