Amz asked
Hi. I'm currently breastfeeding my 2 month year old daughter. I wanted to inquire whether or not it is safe to use teeth whitening strips while I'm breastfeeding? I have used them many times in the past but never whilst pregnant or breastfeeding.
Answer
There have been no studies conducted on teeth whitening products and their safety in regard to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. However, based on what we know about the ingredients used in teeth whitening products, they appear to be relativity safe to use. In addition, there are no reported incidents or case studies linking teeth whitening products to problems in a breastfeeding infant.
Teeth Whitening Products
"Bleaching products" are the most commonly used teeth whitening products and contain hydrogen peroxide as the active ingredient. You may notice some products that contain carbamide peroxide instead of hydrogen peroxide. Carbamide peroxide breaks down to release hydrogen peroxide and has the same effect.
Most studies state that both hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide products are equally effective teeth whitening agents. For reference, a product containing 10% carbamide peroxide is equal to approximately 3.5% of hydrogen peroxide.
Bleaching products come in multiple forms including:
- Gel with tray
- Tape or "strips"
While both products are effective, studies suggest that the "gel tray" products, and products that contain higher percentages of hydrogen peroxide, are the most effective teeth whitening agents. However, the gel tray products seem to have an increased likelihood of tooth sensitivity versus the strips.
Teeth Whitening Products & Breastfeeding
As previously mentioned, there are no studies evaluating the safety of teeth whitening (i.e. bleaching) products while breastfeeding. The safest approach is to avoid teeth whitening products until you’re done breastfeeding. However, based on what we know about the ingredients in these products, notably hydrogen peroxide, it appears that they would be safe to use.
Hydrogen peroxide, the active ingredient in most teeth bleaching products, is not recommend for ingestion. Consumption of high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide can potentially cause GI irritation, caused by excess gas and rarely, embolisms. The amount that could potentially be absorbed from teeth whitening product application however, is thought to minimal.
We do know that minute amounts of hydrogen peroxide will make its way into the body, either by absorption through the gums/oral mucosal areas of the mouth or by swallowing. The amounts are so small however, that it will be almost immediately metabolized into oxygen and water, the byproducts of hydrogen peroxide breakdown (i.e. H2O2 à H2O + O2). The oxygen (O2) byproduct is the reason for the risk of GI problems with overdose.
As the amount of hydrogen peroxide ingested from teeth whitening products is generally very minimal, we would expect any amount to be quickly metabolized and broken down. Unmetabolized hydrogen peroxide entering the breast milk would be nearly impossible. This is echoed the authors Dr. Thomas Hale and Dr. Hilary Rowe, in their book Medications & Mothers' Milk 2017.
Lastly, we know that breast milk already contains relatively high levels of hydrogen peroxide, specifically during the period at which milk is first being produced by the body (i.e. colostrum period). It is thought to activate the newborns immune system and other metabolic processes. Although extremely unlikely, any hydrogen peroxide that enters the breast milk from hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening products would be most likely considered negligible.
Having said all of the above, it is important to speak with your dentist or doctor regarding the use of teeth whitening products while breastfeeding as they have your complete medical profile and can advise you accordingly.
