When I was growing up, everyone revered the Osmond Family for their perfect white teeth. Well, these days, more and more people are determined to have those brilliant pearly smiles for themselves.
But in the pursuit of blinding-white perfection, some may be on the verge of overdoing it and becoming "bleachorexics."
Bleach-o-what? Cosmetic dentist Dr. Timothy Chase explains that over-whitening the teeth can lead to some serious health issues. Knowing the warning signs that your teeth whitening obsession may have gone too far and when to say "enough is enough" can be key when it comes to preventing permanent damage.
More from The Stir: Snooki & 6 Other Celebrities With the Worst Fake Teeth in Hollywood
According to Chase, a practicing partner at SmilesNY, signs of over-whitening include:
1. Sensitivity. If your teeth become sensitive, especially to cold, that's a sign it's time to lay off the whitener, Chase says. If you reach out to your dentist, he or she may be able to give you desensitizer to alleviate the discomfort. It's important to not ignore this symptom or attempt to "push through it," as that will only cause more damage.
2. Inflamed or bleeding gums. If you start to notice that your gums are white or inflamed, that, too, can be a sign you're whitening too frequently.
Chase says the strength of the formula used and the amount of time it's left on can intensify damage if gums and lips aren't protected during the whitening process. In-office methods and custom-made trays for home-use can guard against bleach impacting areas it shouldn't.
3. Teeth that look blue or translucent. When teeth take on a blue-ish appearance, that's an indicator that you've over-whitened.
"If the tips of your teeth are translucent or you can see your tongue through your teeth, you've removed too much color," Chase says. "That can't be undone. You have to stop at the first sign teeth are becoming see-through."
Chase says that if you want to whiten, do it safely. If you're going to do it yourself, it's extremely important to following the product's directions perfectly.
"You want to use a quality product like Crest White Strips if you're going to try it yourself to get an idea," says Chase, who recommends avoiding products advertised on late-night infomercials, as many are not regulated.
If you do whiten at home, it's best to avoid foods that can stain your teeth for the first 24 to 48 hours afterward.
"Peroxide opens up the pores of the teeth, making them more susceptible in the short term," Chase says. "I recommend doing it at night before you go to bed. The worst thing you can do is bleach on a Friday night and then go out and have four glasses of red wine. That purple color will get that much deeper into the teeth."
The dentist also advises that teeth should be as clean as possible before whitening.
"If you've got plaque build-up, I liken it to waxing a car before washing it," he explains.
Chase suggests that would-be whiteners talk to their dentist about their options before getting started.
For those who are hooked on whitening, formulas are improving all the time to lessen sensitivity and potential nerve damage, so that's a positive step toward avoiding hurting your teeth in the process, according to Chase.
Do you whiten your teeth?
Image ©iStock.com/b-d-s