01 December 2014
The Danger of Over bleaching
Mia St. John is a role model for women everywhere; not only is she a model and businesswoman, she is also a former IBF and IFBA lightweight champion, as well as a former WBC super welterweight champion. Beautiful, strong, and intelligent, St. John is the perfect person young women can emulate and fashion their own lives after – except when it comes to her teeth.
Tooth K.O.
During her well-documented title run, St. John became obsessed with looking good both inside and outside the ring. The bright lights of modelling made her focus on the whiteness of her teeth in particular. Her quest for whiter teeth became so extreme that her dentist had to intervene, saying the procedures would turn her teeth into mush.
The language may be extreme, but it does underline the dangers that come with excessive bleaching, known in dental circles as bleachorexia. This is primarily a mental condition wherein people obsess over having mega-watt smiles and abuse the use of over the counter whiteners. In order to understand the danger of over bleaching, it pays to know how teeth whitening actually works.
Most bleaching procedures use a peroxide based solution that aggressively removes stains from teeth, similar to how chemicals clear the gunk out of pipes. Bleaching is a tightrope act wherein dentists try to remove the stained surface of teeth without affecting the enamel directly below it. Bleachorexiacs have no regard for that balance and would inadvertently destroy their enamel for whiter teeth.
A White Trap
It is an ironic situation that St. John was fortunate enough to escape that trap, but the only way she did was through the advice of her dentist, which not many bleachers have. The most common cases of bleachorexia do not occur in dental clinics, but in private bathrooms. DIY bleaching methods far outstrip those done by professionals in terms of popularity, because of cost and convenience.
This exposes them to the danger of over bleaching, without the expert advice of a professional to tell them when enough is enough. Bleaching teeth to the point of removing enamel is a serious and permanent condition. Enamel is not renewable; once it goes, it is gone for good. Does anyone really want to risk their teeth for a few shades of bright?
Get the right advice on how to make teeth look better, and always go about it safely. If you want honest and helpful advice regarding your dental health, contact us today. Our teams can help anyone with their dental or cosmetic needs.
