Sparkling smile at the cost of eyes?

Norway, February 1:A dazzling smile can win you a lot of compliments but it may cost you your eyes and skin.

Pearly-white teeth are not hard to achieve with all the technology available today but if the procedure involves exposure to ultraviolet light, you better give it another thought.

Tooth bleaching is among most popular cosmetic dental treatments, which is aimed at removing the stains of tea, coffee and nicotine from the teeth. Hydrogen peroxide is the most commonly used bleaching agent and in many cases, the teeth are further exposed to UV light, which is believed to enhance the results by activating the oxidation process.

However, according to a new study, the sparkling teeth obtained through these expensive cosmetic procedures may not be as desirable since the damages outweigh their appeal.

The study, published in Photochemical and Photobiological Science, revealed that the light treatment is no better than bleaching without UV and that it may cause damage to the skin and eyes.

The risk of damage from radiationdefine was found to be more for whites and other light sensitive people. Reportedly, the process can be four times more damaging than sunbathing.

Study author Ellen Bruzell of the Nordic Institute of Dental Materials said that besides the damage to eyes and skin, the UV exposure does more harm than good for the teeth. The surface enamel of bleached teeth was found to be rough with many grooves, making the teeth vulnerable to high mechanical stress and the attack of bacteria.

Irregularities in tooth surface may interfere with proper cleansing and result in the deposition of extremely minute particles, which cause discoloration and sensitivity in the long run.

They might have to reconsider the phrase: Smile! It costs nothing.