Common side effects associated with paint-on teeth whiteners (Colgate Simply White Night ® and Crest Night Effects ®).

Since paint-on teeth whitening technique is simply a variation of peroxide-based teeth bleaching, the types of side effects created by this technique would be expected to be similar in nature as with other peroxide-based bleaching methods. The most common side effects encountered are typically gum irritation and tooth sensitivity. In most cases these are mild in nature and do not require attention from a dental professional.

Collectively our references Barlow, 2003; Collins, 2004; Date, 2003; Gerlach, 2003; Li, 2004; Slezak, 2002 performed studies involving Colgate Simply White ®, Colgate Simply White Night ®, and Crest Night Effects ®. Most of these studies did report that their participants did experience side effects (for example, Date reported that 6% of study participants experienced tooth sensitivity and 13% experienced oral irritation). However none of these studies found that a participant needed to discontinue their whitening treatments because of adverse events related to side effects.

Ideas about how to manage side effects created by paint-on teeth whiteners.

The companies that market paint-on teeth whiteners formulate their instructions so to create a whitening experience that is both a safe and effective for their product consumers. Under no circumstances should the dosing recommendations of the manufacturer be exceeded. However, as we have mentioned before, peroxide-based teeth whitening is simply a cause and effect process. If you use a whitening product less frequently than the instructions recommend you can still expect whitening results, they will simply take longer to achieve.

If side effects associated with using a paint-on teeth whitener hint at becoming problematic, it would seem prudent to stop using the product. Your dentist can confirm for you that the side effects you have experienced lie within normal limits. In most cases the side effects should be expected to resolve on their own. Once they have disappeared, use your judgement and even consult with your dentist. Possibly using the product on a less frequent basis than you did previously can provide you with whitening results without the occurrence of any further side effects.

More information about the safety of using peroxide-based teeth whiteners.

We discuss common side effects and safety issues related to the use of peroxide-based teeth whitening products in greater detail on the pages of our topic "Tray-based teeth whitening" (Topics Index). The information on these pages discusses the use of 10% carbamide peroxide as a whitener. This whitener, at this concentration, produces a bleaching solution equivalent to 3.5% hydrogen peroxide. As a basis of comparison, the paint-on whiteners we discuss on our pages here each create a higher equivalent hydrogen peroxide concentration.

[Manufacturers can and do revise the precise composition of their products from time to time. Please check the labeling on the product you have purchased (or check directly with the manufacturer) for more definitive information about the ingredients it contains.]