Research Study Shows Extensive Damage Caused by Common Teeth-Whitening Products

Research Study Shows Extensive Damage Caused by Common Teeth-Whitening Products

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Research led by scientists at the University of Toronto highlights the considerable damages that can be triggered by common teeth-whitening agents.

Published just recently in Nature Scientific Reports, the study assessed the dental cell damage caused by carbamide peroxide teeth-whitening remedies.

It found that a suggested application of only 10 percent carbamide peroxide gel on teeth lowers the enamel protein material by as much as 50 percent. A carbamide peroxide gel with a concentration of 35 percent can be purchased online

According to Laurent Bozec, an associate professor in U of T’s Faculty of Dentistry who led the study, we have always shown interest in the effect of peroxide-based tooth bleaching on the tooth structure and its connection to sensitivity. We wanted to learn even more about the influence on the enamel itself and deep inside the pulp.

Bozec looked at the effect of using hydrogen peroxide in root canal treatment prior to this research study and discovered that it was causing damage to collagen locally. This led him to explore exactly how peroxide penetrates via the enamel and dentine before reaching the dental pulp and examining what damages it might trigger along the road.

The study found that the loss of enamel protein content led to greater penetration of the whitening agent inside the tooth and can increase dental pulp cell fatality. The team employed an in-house dentine perfusion chamber to make their measurements. Scientists discovered that dental pulp cells do not survive exposure to carbamide peroxide concentrations around 35 percent.

Applying carbamide peroxide gel on teeth in high concentrations can reduce the enamel protein content by up to 50 percent. Credit: Courtesy of the Bozec Lab

” Many home tooth-whitening items have such a high concentration of peroxide gel– as an example, 35 percent– and yet, little is known about what it does to the inside of our teeth,” states Bozec. “We think this is the first research study of its kind to reveal the toxic effects of using a tooth-whitening agent. We hope that people will pick a low concentration of peroxide if they choose to utilize a tooth-whitening product as they are a lot less harmful to your teeth.”

While utilizing a reduced peroxide concentration– such as 5 percent– would be less damaging to dental cells, consumers usually go with increased peroxide concentrations to see an immediate teeth-whitening effect. The research shows the requirement for a concession in between the concentrations of peroxide used, exposure time, wanted patient results, and adverse effects experienced. This ought to be tested in-vivo before market release, and also individuals ought to be alerted of the impact these procedures on their dental health, the scientists recommend.

” There is the possibility to use either non-peroxide-based or a controlled peroxide launch agent that will not create the very same damage,” says Bozec. “I think that is the future of tooth-whitening.”

Bozec notes that the study, which included payments from Boris Hinz, a recognized professor at the Faculty of Dentistry, entailed an international collaboration and the involvement of students in the doctor of dental surgery program, including Sabrina Nguyen, and Ola Redha, a visiting Ph.D. student from University College London.

” I teamed up with Professor Bozec formerly at UCL for the last seven years and also was fortunate to have him invite me to work on and also finish this project below at the Faculty of Dentistry,” states Redha.

“It has been interesting to embark on a research study at the highest level at both U.K. and Canadian colleges.”


Originally published on Scitechdaily.com. Read the original article.

Reference: “Compromised dental cells viability following teeth-whitening exposure” by Ola Redha, Morteza Mazinanian, Sabrina Nguyen, Dong Ok Son, Monika Lodyga, Boris Hinz, Marianne Odlyha, Ailbhe McDonald and Laurent Bozec, 30 July 2021, Scientific Reports.
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94745-w

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