Risks Of Having Teeth Whitening Performed By an Unlicensed Technician
By Michael Armijo | Published on February 14, 2011 | 0 Comments
Procedures like teeth whitening may fall into the cosmetic dentistry category, and Dr. Michael Armijo, D.D.S. says that too many people visit beauty salons or teeth whitening kiosks in malls and shopping centers to have this type of procedure done. As a top dentist in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Dr. Armijo explains that professional teeth whitening treatments should only be performed by licensed dentists.
Unfortunately, that isn’t stopping thousands of teeth whitening kiosks from popping up at malls throughout the country. Additionally, an increasing number of salons are offering teeth whitening treatments with lasers and bleaching agents as part of their makeover packages available to clients. According to Dr. Armijo, having teeth whitening done by an unlicensed provider is just plain unsafe.
As a premier dentist in Albuquerque, Dr. Armijo has actually done quite a bit of research in this area. He says that people need to be aware of the potential side effects and complications of teeth whitening treatments and products – including those that they buy at the store. According to Dr. Armijo, the backs of most teeth whitening boxes carry disclaimers that release the makers from liability in case something goes wrong. These boxes also carry numerous warnings, cautioning people against whitening their teeth if they have cavities, abscesses, or any other imperfections.
Dr. Armijo’s, however, questions how a person is supposed to know if he or she has any cavities without first visiting a dentist and getting examined. Dr. Armijo says that this is a common problem that many people have, and it is one of the reasons why so many young men and women come into his office complaining about sensitivity and pain caused by over-the-counter teeth whitening products.
Unfortunately, having teeth whitening done at a mall kiosk or beauty salon isn’t much better. Teeth whitening is a treatment that always comes with a chance of complications, and the technicians at salons have no way of protecting people in the event that something does go wrong. As Dr. Armijo explains, if a manicurist messes up a person’s nails, they’ll grow back. If a stylist messes up a person’s hair, it will grow back. But if an unlicensed technician messes up a person’s teeth, they will not grow back.
Despite the fact that many technicians working at mall kiosks and beauty salons wear white coats, that does not make them licensed dentists. As a dentist in Albuquerque, Dr. Armijo explains that he and his colleagues have gone through rigorous training in order to know exactly what to do in every type of tooth-related situation.
If an unlicensed technician makes an error during a whitening procedure, there’s a good chance that the affected patient will have to make a trip to the emergency room for help. With that in mind, Dr. Armijo says that it is never a good idea to have any dental procedures done by unlicensed providers.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.