Yes, teeth-whitening strips work to whiten the teeth. However, it may not be as effective as any in-office dental whitening treatments. Through the use of teeth whitening strips, your teeth can whiten by a shade of two that will show in one or two days.
Teeth whitening also comes with some risks, such as gum irritation and tooth sensitivity. Let’s discuss how teeth whitening strips work and which products will prove to be effective for your teeth.
Introduction To Teeth Whitening Strips
In the 1980’s teeth-whitening strips were introduced into the market. The strips deliver a thin layer of peroxide gel on the plastic of the strips that are shaped onto the buccal surface of your teeth. Various teeth-whitening products are available in the market with different instructions on how to use them.
- The rising popularity of at-home teeth whitening
Teeth whitening has been on the rise as people are becoming aware of oral hygiene and self-care routines such as brushing teeth with gels to build self-confidence and self-improvement. At-home teeth whitening has gained popularity in recent years owing to the indulgence of people in oral aesthetics, budget-friendly options, and social media promoting at-home teeth whitening procedures.
How Do Teeth-Whitening Strips Work?
The working of teeth-whitening strips is explained as follows:
- The science behind teeth-whitening strips
- Active ingredients explained
Teeth whitening strips whiten your teeth by using bleaching stains combined with carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. It is carbamide peroxide that breaks into hydrogen peroxide after coming in contact with water.
Peroxides present in whitening strips penetrate into the outer layer of the tooth known as enamel and enter in deep dentin layer. They bleach chromogens, which are pigmented molecules present inside and outside of your tooth that cause staining.
- Types of stains targeted by whitening strips
Staining is divided into two categories: extrinsic and intrinsic.
- Extrinsic staining
In extrinsic staining, the outside of the tooth gets affected, caused by various environmental factors such as
- smoking
- certain foods and drinks, such as coffee and wine
- antibiotics
- exposure to metals such as iron or copper
2. Intrinsic staining
In intrinsic staining, the inside of the tooth gets affected and is caused by various factors such as:
- age-related enamel erosion
- genetics
- antibiotics
- exposure to high levels of fluoride
- tooth development disorders
Whitening strips may target both intrinsic and extrinsic stains. Stains that respond fastest to bleaching are smoking, genetics, or coffee. Sometimes, yellow stains also respond well to bleaching. The whitening strips are best used when you want to do a touch-up for your tooth color. However, teeth whitening may be best when it is done in the presence of the dentist. It is because they will suggest a custom treatment that will best suit your teeth.
Different Types Of Teeth-Whitening Strips
There are different types of teeth whitening strips, and some important types are explained below:
- Peroxide-Based Whitening Strips
In this type of teeth-whitening strip, the active ingredient is hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. They are effective in removing deep stains such as those arising out of smoking, coffee, tea, and wine. Peroxide-based whitening strips can cause gum irritation or tooth sensitivity if there is a higher amount of peroxide present.
- Charcoal Whitening Strips
In charcoal whitening strips, the main ingredient is activated charcoal. One of the pros of using these strips is that they are natural, free of peroxide, and gentle on the enamel. However, they are less effective in removing stains, and their overuse may even cause abrasiveness.
- Non-Peroxide Whitening Strips
The active ingredients in non-peroxide whitening strips are silica and baking soda. They are gentle on gums and enamel with less risk of causing teeth sensitivity. However, they are less effective if the stains are stubborn.
- Enzyme-Based Whitening Strips
The active ingredients in these whitening strips are natural enzymes such as papain and bromelain. They are gentle on enamel and do not cause irritation or sensitivity. Enzyme-based strips are effective for people with sensitive teeth. However, they are not as effective as peroxide-based strips.
The choice of whitening strips depends largely on your teeth, sensitivity, and type of stains that need to be addressed.
Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Teeth Whitening Strips
While applying whitening strips, it is the adhesive strip that ensures retention on the tooth surface. The usefulness of teeth-whitening strips can be evaluated by concentration, retention, and dose. These are linked directly to predicting the overall effectiveness of tooth whitening systems.
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Factors influencing effectiveness
Some factors that influence the effectiveness of whitening systems for your teeth are as follows:
- Maintain oral hygiene: Teeth whitening strips will work best if you are maintaining your oral hygiene by doing regular brushing and flossing.
- Initial tooth color: The original color of your teeth before the whitening process will surely impact your teeth’s whitening. It may happen that if your teeth are more discolored, then it will take longer to get the color you want.
- Smoking: Smoking can greatly influence teeth whitening, as it may again discolor your teeth.
- Usage consistency: Teeth whitening will last for a long time if the strips are being used consistently.
- Age: As people age, their enamel gets thin, which reveals the yellowish dentin present underneath.
- Avoid staining substances: Tobacco, dark-colored foods such as red wine, coffee, tea, soy sauce, and dark fruit juices may stain your teeth.
- Concentration of whitening agent: Concentration of whitening agent may affect the usefulness of teeth whitening, as higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide may whiten the teeth but also cause side effects.
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Safety And Precautions
Every teeth-whitening treatment may require precautions to take while using them, such as reading the instructions coming with the product, checking the fit of the strips, and avoiding overuse to prevent side effects.
- Side effects to be aware of: Teeth whitening strips can cause gum irritation and tooth sensitivity. Sometimes, these symptoms are mild whereas sometimes they may be severe. Tooth sensitivity and gum irritation may begin at the time of treatment and may even last for several days.
- Best practices for safe use: Before using teeth-whitening strips, you must know the best practices for safe use. Some tips are as follows:
- After brushing with a wet toothbrush, you need to rinse your mouth.
- After applying the strips, you may take the strips out after some time.
- After removing the strips, you can brush or floss normally.
- You can use teeth-whitening strips every day but do not overuse them. Therefore, always read the instructions before using them.
- Proper application techniques: You must know how to use teeth-whitening strips properly before using them. You need to follow the following tips:
- Read the packaging and instructions mentioned on the strips
- Brush your teeth before applying the strips
- Ensure drying of your mouth before applying the strips
- Leave the strips for the desired amount of time. The recommended time is 30 minutes twice a day for 14 days.
- Avoid consuming dark-colored foods and drinks.
- When to consult a dentist?
You need to consult a dentist in Frisco before applying teeth whitening strips if you are experiencing dental diseases, active decay, gum disease, cavities, exposed roots, sensitivity, allergies to peroxide, and under the age of 16 years. It is because, in all the above-mentioned situations, a dentist may provide you with appropriate suggestions for the usage of teeth-whitening strips.
Maintaining A Whiter Smile: Tips And Alternatives
It is vital to follow some tips and alternatives that come with maintaining a whiter smile if you are using teeth-whitening strips. You must take care of what foods you are eating after teeth whitening that will help in maintaining the white color of your teeth.
- Tips for long-lasting results after using whitening strips
Some tips that may help your teeth to remain white for long are as follows:
- Avoid eating staining foods
- Regular dental visits
- Maintaining good oral hygiene
- Brushing with a whitening toothpaste and toothbrush
- Eating calcium-rich food
- Limiting intake of sugar
- In case your gums are irritated, avoid using whitening strips for some days
- Always ensure to apply the strips carefully
- Try to use gentle toothpaste, as abrasive toothpaste may damage your enamel.
Alternatives To Teeth-Whitening Strips
For all those who are looking for alternatives to teeth whitening strips, they may look at the following options:
- Professional treatments: There are three professional treatments that you can use:
- In-office whitening: A dentist may help you with this by using high-concentration bleaching agents. They will give effective and quick results.
- Custom whitening trays: Dentists will help you by creating customized trays according to your teeth. They will provide whitening gel for home use.
- Microabrasion: If the stains on your teeth are superficial, the dentists may remove a thin layer of enamel to reveal your whiter surface.
- Natural remedies: Some natural remedies that you can use at home for teeth whitening are oil Pulling, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste, diluted apple cider vinegar, strawberry and baking soda paste, and charcoal powder
- Whitening toothpastes: Always use whitening toothpastes that have an ADA seal of acceptance and ensure the safety and effectiveness of teeth whitening.
Concluding Thoughts: Are Teeth-Whitening Strips Right For You?
Teeth-whitening trips are considered safe for adults. However, children and pregnant women must consult a dentist before using the strips. It is because they may experience teeth sensitivity if they use the whitening strips for long or if, by mistake, you leave the strips on their teeth for longer than mentioned in the instructions of the packaging.
Final Evaluation: Effectiveness, Cost, And Ease Of Use
Teeth whitening strips may be an effective, budget-friendly, and easy way for teeth whitening at home.
- Effectiveness: You need to maintain good lifestyle habits such as quitting smoking and tobacco use for better results. However, professional treatments may give better results, and the rest will also depend on factors such as oral health and the severity of staining.
- Cost: One of the main advantages of using teeth whitening strips is that they are less expensive in comparison to professional teeth whitening methods.
- Ease of use: They are one of the simplest teeth-whitening treatments, as they can be used easily by people who want to whiten their teeth at home.
Want to Get White Teeth? Book An Appointment With Us
If you are looking for a teeth whitening procedure, our dental experts at Pinnacle Dental will provide you with the best dental care by analyzing your oral health and teeth sensitivity. We know how a smile can prove to be an asset to your personality and increase your confidence. Contact our teeth-whitening experts by scheduling an appointment by calling +1 972-801-2788.