Recognizing an adverse reaction to hydrogen peroxide in professional teeth whitening
If you are interested in having your teeth whitened professionally, it is imperative that you learn to recognize the symptoms associated with an adverse reaction to hydrogen peroxide contained in teeth whitening gel. While most people do not experience any reaction to this substance, there have been cases where an allergic reaction was experienced when the individual was subjected to high concentration levels of the substance. Professional teeth whitening procedures often use whitening gels that have high levels of hydrogen peroxide to achieve dramatic whitening results quickly.
Hydrogen peroxide is a substance that has been found to be potentially toxic if ingested. While most teeth whitening procedures use it mixed with a gel, there is a chance that a small amount may be swallowed during the procedure. Small concentrations may generally not produce any side effects, but animal and emergency case studies involving this product and humans indicate that there have been complications associated with ingestion of larger concentrations of the substance. Erosions in the stomach area, burns to the throat tissue, bloating related to abdominal gas, vomiting, ulcerations, and diarrhea may occur.
People who experience an immediate allergic reaction to the high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide contained in professional teeth whitening gel can lead to a breakout of hives, respiratory complications, and swelling in and around the mouth, face, and throat area. . If you are interested in whitening your teeth, it is often best to select an at-home teeth whitening kit. While these do contain peroxide, it is typically a very low percentage and has not been associated with serious health complications. Additionally, hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening systems can be substituted for home systems that incorporate the use of carbamide peroxide. While effective at removing stains from teeth, this mild form of peroxide does not possess the same properties that can cause complications.