What You Should Know About Whitening Strips
Whitening strips are designed to make your teeth whiter and more attractive. Many people use these strips to improve their smile after they have undergone dental work like braces or fillings. However, some dangers come with using whitening strips that might put off some potential customers who want whiter teeth without any risk.
Do whitening strips harm your teeth? In short, no. They are one of the safest and most effective ways to achieve brighter teeth without having to go through a dental procedure. However, it is important to follow the directions on the packaging to minimize potential damage to your teeth.
In this post, we will discuss if whitening strips harm your teeth and what they can do for you!
What Are Whitening Strips?
Whitening strips are thin, flexible pieces of plastic that have a whitening gel on them. They are designed to be worn for 30 minutes per day, usually for two weeks.
The strips work by bleaching your teeth and removing any discoloration or staining.
How Do Whitening Strips Work?
The whitening gel on the strip is activated by saliva and begins to bleach your teeth immediately upon contact.
The gel contains hydrogen peroxide which breaks down into water and oxygen when it comes in contact with your teeth. This process gently removes the surface stains from your teeth and makes them whiter.
Dangers of Using Whitening Strips
There are some dangers associated with using whitening strips that you should be aware of before you decide to use them.
Can Wear Away Tooth Enamel
The main danger is that the bleaching gel can wear away at your tooth enamel if it comes in direct contact with your teeth for too long, especially when used several times per day.
Can Increase Tooth Sensitivity
Another danger is that the whitening strips can increase tooth sensitivity. If your teeth are already sensitive, using these strips could make them even more sensitive.
Can Cause Gingivitis
The bleaching gel can also cause gingivitis if it comes in contact with your gums. This is an inflammation of the gums and can cause them to bleed or become swollen and red.
Can Damage Gum Tissue
Another danger is that the strips can damage gum tissue if you do not remove them properly.
When removing your whitening strip, make sure to peel it slowly away from your teeth, and don’t let it stick to your gums!
Can Damage Oral Tissue
Another potential problem is that the whitening strips may contain potent chemicals like hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide which can cause irritation or damage to delicate tissues inside your mouth.
Two case reports of patients using whitening strips found that they developed ulcerative lesions on the soft tissue inside their mouths.
Benefits of Using Whitening Strips
According to the dentists at Children’s Dental Health Center, there are many benefits to using whitening strips because they are one of the safest ways to get whiter teeth without needing any invasive dental work like bleaching or getting veneers put on. These include:
Prevent Tooth Decay & Cavities
By eliminating surface stains, you will also be preventing cavities and tooth decay in addition to having a brighter smile.
Improve Your Self Confidence
A bright smile can help increase your self-confidence, and studies have shown that people with brighter smiles are viewed as more attractive than those without.
Are Safe and Effective
Whitening strips are one of the safest and most effective ways to achieve whiter teeth without having to go through a dental procedure.
They are gentle on your teeth and help you achieve a brighter smile without any pain or hassle.
How To Choose Which Whitening Strip Works For You?
There are several different brands available on the market today, including Crest White Strips, Rembrandt Deeply White, and Neutrogena Light & Bright.
Each brand has its own patented formula which is designed to work on a certain type of stain or discoloration that you may have in your teeth.
Several factors go into choosing which whitening strip is right for you. These include:
Your Skin Tone
The first factor is your skin tone because the whitest shade of teeth will not look natural against darker skin tones due to contrast.
If you have dark skin, opt for strips with blue hues as they blend in better than other colors.
Your Teeth Sensitivity & Bleaching Ability
Another factor to consider when choosing bleaching strips is how sensitive your teeth are since some brands contain more potent chemicals than others do.
This means that each person should take their circumstances into account when choosing which whitening strip to use.
Your Teeth Stain Level
Another factor is how much staining you have on your teeth since some brands are designed for light stains while others are meant for more severe cases of discoloration.
If you have a lot of surfaces or deep-seated staining, look for stronger strips that contain hydrogen peroxide rather than carbamide peroxide.
Choose A Product With No Peroxide Or Carbamide
If your gums are sensitive, some products contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to help bleach the surface stains on your teeth, but if your gums are sensitive then this may cause irritation or damage to delicate tissues inside your mouth.
Look For Products That Contain Potassium Nitrate & Fluoride
If you have sensitive gums and teeth, look for a whitening strip that contains potassium nitrate to help reduce sensitivity.
Fluoride is also added to many of these products to strengthen your enamel and seal up any small holes left by the bleach after it removes stains from your teeth.
Product Reviews Available Online
You can read product reviews online at places like Amazon or Drugstore.com before purchasing if you want unbiased information about different brands available today!
The best way to find out what kind of white strips are best suited for you would be to consult with an experienced dentist who can help give you some guidance during this process.
They can also address any other questions or concerns about using these products safely and effectively.
Cleaning Habits to Improve The Effectiveness Of Whitening Strips
Several things can help improve the effectiveness of whitening strips including:
Cleansing With Mouthwash Beforehand
One way to make sure that the bleaching gel penetrates deep into each tooth stain is to use a mouthwash that contains cetylpyridinium chloride or chlorhexidine gluconate.
Cleaning With Baking Soda Afterward
Another way to ensure bleaching gel penetrates deep into teeth stains is to brush your teeth with baking soda after you’re done using the whitening strips.
This will help dissolve any remaining gel residue on your teeth and it can also be used as an effective natural toothpaste if you don’t have access to store-bought products!
Wearing A Mouth Guard While You Sleep
If you wear braces, then wearing a custom-fitted nightguard may prevent some of the discolorations from forming around brackets since food particles are trapped between them during meals.
Alternatives to Whitening Strips
If you don’t feel comfortable using whitening strips, there are other alternatives that can help lighten your teeth such as:
Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste is available over the counter and they come in a variety of forms. Some contain peroxide while others have baking soda as the main abrasive ingredient.
At-Home Teeth Bleaching Kits
These kits usually require two applications; one to bleach your teeth and another to seal them off and protect your enamel.
They also come with a custom mouth tray for better accuracy when applying the bleaching solution to your teeth.
Professional In-Office Teeth Bleaching
This is the most expensive option but it is also the most effective. It requires only one appointment and it can be done in less than an hour.
These are just some of the many products available to help make your teeth white again, but if you’re still not sure which product is best suited for your needs then visit a dentist today!
In Conclusion
In general, whitening strips are a safe and effective way to achieve brighter teeth without having to resort to more drastic measures.
However, it is important to consult with a Tulsa dentist before starting any at-home whitening treatment in order to get their professional advice on what kind of product will work best for your individual needs.
By following the advice above on how to choose the right product for you and by using them in conjunction with good oral hygiene habits, you can achieve evenly-toned teeth in as little time as possible!
Related Questions
Will whitening strips cause tooth sensitivity? Depending on the type of whitening strip that you use, there is a chance that it could cause tooth sensitivity. If your gums are sensitive, look for strips that contain potassium nitrate to help reduce sensitivity.
How often can I use whitening strips? You should consult with your dentist about how often you can safely use whitening strips. Some people may be able to use them once a week while others may only be able to use them every other week without experiencing any damage or irritation.
What happens if I swallow a whitening strip? If you swallow a whitening strip, it is unlikely that any harm will come to you. However, if you are concerned about this, contact your dentist or physician for advice.
