Hint: it’s not at-home bleaching. A new study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that home bleaching (the kind your dentist gives you) was associated with demineralization of your enamel, which could mean erosion for the surface of your teeth down the road. “Continuous mineral loss may result in caries and severe deterioration of tooth structures [which leads to cavities],” says Reina Tanaka, PhD, assistant professor at the Showa University School of Dentistry in Japan, and author of the study. Here’s what happens: Office bleaching uses 35% hydrogen peroxide to permeate deep into the enamel, activating a process that enhances mineralization. But since the do-it-at-home kit they give you to has a lower concentration of the active ingredient (it uses carbamide peroxide, which releases hydrogen peroxide as it decomposes), they only affect the outer part of your teeth, “leading to continuous mineral loss at the surface,” says Tanaka. While over-the-counter methods have been in the hot seat lately (since they don’t require seeing a dentist first), this study shows that even dentist-approved take-home treatments have their downsides. If you’re serious about whiter teeth, talk to your dentist about an in-office treatment. More from Prevention: How To Prevent Yellow Teeth
