Dangers of Teeth Whitening

"Thinking of heading into the salon for a UV teeth whitening session?

This might not be a bright idea. A recent study found the same ultraviolet light that causes skin cancer can also damage your gums, lips and eyes during an in-house bleaching session.

A separate study published this year in Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences found that UV light treatments exposed patients to four times the dose of radiation of sunbathing and that the eyes and skin are not sufficiently protected during the procedure.

Even scarier—repeated UV exposure can cause cataracts and other abnormal growths in and around the eye.

According to a recent study in the European Journal of Plastic Surgery, many women would consider a tooth-whitening procedure: When asked to rate it on a scale of 0 (“I’d never get it”) to 7 (“hell ya”), women rated it a 4.10 on the desirability scale—making it one of the most sought-after cosmetic surgeries.

A better choice? At-home tooth whiteners. These are good even for the impatient— some, like Rembrandt Whitening Strips are tested to improve your smile in less than 5 days.

And while a doctor's visit will cost you between $500 and $700, these at-home strips can be found under $25.

Cheaper and safer? Now that's something to smile about. "

Written by Erin Hicks- Women's Health Magazine Online www.womenshealthmag.com