Health warnings issued regarding dental whitening and household product safety

Health experts are warning against common household practices and products that may pose risks to physical well-being.

Regarding dental hygiene, dentist İpek Rizvan warns that unsupervised home whitening methods—such as using lemon, baking soda, or activated charcoal—can cause irreversible damage to tooth enamel, sensitivity, and gum problems. Rizvan notes that tooth discoloration can be caused by genetics, age, or medication, and suggests that professional cleaning may resolve surface stains from tea or coffee without the need for aggressive whitening.

In the kitchen, improper use of certain products can lead to chemical exposure. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified PFOA, previously used in non-stick coatings, as a definite carcinogen. While a scratched pan does not directly cause cancer, damaged coatings can allow particles to leach into food. Additionally, the use of plastic containers with hot or oily foods can cause chemicals like BPA to migrate into food, and synthetic room fragrances may cause respiratory irritation if used in poorly ventilated areas.