Wanting whiter teeth has never been this easy. All you need to do is to apply teeth whitening strips for a set period of time and you will see the change.
These strips contain the whitening and bleaching agent that can break down the stains in your enamel.
Hence, before going to the dentist, you are able to try a teeth whitening method on your own. Though, the most effective treatment still remains a professional teeth whitening at the dental clinic.
This article discusses how teeth whitening strips work and how you can effectively use them to get pearly white teeth.
How Do Stains Develop?
There are extrinsic and intrinsic stains on your teeth.
Extrinsic discoloration refers to the stains that are on the surface of the teeth i.e. the enamel.
These usually occur because of what you eat and drink.
Eating colored foods such as berries or drinking wine, tea or coffee can leave a stain on your teeth.
Similarly, smoking will leave, yellow and even brown stains on the teeth.
If you do not follow good oral hygiene practices then these stains become tartar and are hard to remove using a toothbrush alone.
Therefore, negligence of oral hygiene practices is one of the ways through which you will end up with discolored teeth.
Not brushing twice a day and flossing once while also eating and drinking stained foods and beverages will eventually cause your teeth to accumulate yellow stains.
However, you can still remove these by using OTC teeth whitening kits and other whitening products.
That is not always the case with intrinsic stains.
Intrinsic discoloration occurs underneath the enamel and that can be due to several reasons.
Firstly, as you age, the enamel naturally wears down over time. This exposes the dentin.
The dentin is naturally yellower than the enamel. It will start to show through when the enamel weakens.
This is a natural process, however, sometimes medications and illness can also weaken the enamel which causes the dentin to show.
Usually, blood pressure and allergy medications have that effect on the teeth.
Besides that, if there is a stain on a specific tooth then that could be due to an injury.
These stains are harder to remove. In order to get a perfect Hollywood smile if you have an intrinsic stain, you may have to refer to a dentist in al wasl clinic.
For treating extrinsic stains, refer below!
Using Teeth Whitening Strips
Some whitening strips can also work on the internal stains as the external ones.
This is thanks to the bleaching agent, carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide.
They work more effectively than toothpaste because teeth are in direct contact with the bleaching agent and stay there for a longer time.
Though, they contain a lower concentration of the bleaching agent than dental clinic withering products.
The strips you use at home will have the bleaching agent at a safer limit so that there are no huge side effects and irritation.
This, however, also means that there will be lesser whitening. Therefore, people who have heavily stained teeth will not be able to get instantly brighter teeth.
In fact, the effectiveness of the strips also relies on the time they are kept on teeth.
Usually, you have to follow the instructions on the label to guide about the application of the strips.
Follow it religiously for the set amount of time and days to get the desired results.
Cut any excess part that may land on your gums and cause irritation.
If the product starts to cause irritation and tooth sensitivity then it is time to let it go for a while.
The bleaching agent may be causing the sensitivity so it is better to leave it than keep using it to cause more oral problems.
Process of Application
The strips apply directly to the teeth.
They are full of a gel containing a bleaching agent that will penetrate the teeth and break down the stains.
Before you apply the strips, do not brush your teeth immediately preceding that.
Instead, you should brush your teeth a long while before you apply the strips in order to get the best results.
Once you apply the strips to the lower and upper teeth, leave them on for the recommended time period.
This is usually 30 minutes for the strips.
Now the instructions on the labels will also guide about how long and frequently should you use it.
To get the best results, the duration of the application will be for 2 weeks.
The number of applications is two times a day.
Hence, you will have to apply the strips twice a day for 30 minutes each regularly for 2 weeks.
This will bring the desired result you want. Moreover, the results will be apparent very soon.
However, do not stop midway.
Apply it for full 2 weeks so that the results last longer as well.
Usually, the whitening from using strips can last as long as 4 months if used correctly and by following the instructions religiously.
The application process may differ for every manufacturer.
It depends on the concentration of the bleaching agent the manufacturers use.
Hence, follow the instructions and do not keep the strips on for a time more than what the label suggests.
This can lead to sensitivity and irritation in your teeth and gums.
While strips are a good way to try whitening, it has their own set of pros and cons.
Let’s know about the downsides and advantages of using these for teeth whitening more in detail below.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Teeth Whitening Strips
Advantages
Strips are an affordable way to get to try whitening rather than having to go to a dental clinic.
Even if the results are temporary, you get an idea of whether it works for you and can provide the degree of whiteness required.
That said, strips fo effectively whiten teeth and their results can last for 4 months.
Moreover, it is easy to use. All you need to do is to pick up the strips and apply them to your teeth, covering all of them completely.
You can also take care of other chores while you have them on for 30 minutes and then you need to simply remove them.
So if you are trying teeth whitening for the first time, strips are a rather easier and more effective method than many natural teeth whitening products to achieve a whiter shade.
Disadvantages
Whitening strips use a bleaching agent like every other whitening product. The overuse of these chemicals can eventually damage teeth.
Since the effects of the strips do not last as long then you will have to use them often compared to a dental procedure that will last longer.
Each session takes 30 minutes, hence you need to be patient while the strips work their magic into your teeth.
Alongside that, these can cause gum irritation and also tooth sensitivity. Though, the amount of the bleaching agent is lesser than what is used at dental clinics hence there is less sensitivity.
Noticeable results are apparent in a few days’ time and are not as immediate as with dental whitening. Hence, you will not get dramatic results.
Plus, it can be difficult to keep the strips in one place and not be forgetful about that later but that is surely a minor concern.
How to Choose Teeth Whitening Strips?
Searching for the best teeth whitening strips is not a difficult task. However, you need to ensure that you are choosing the right product.
Checking the Reviews
Getting authentic customer reviews can give a clear idea of what the product has to offer.
The before and after pictures will make the decision easier as you can tell if the product worked for folks like you.
Moreover, you can also contact the person to know more details or consult your dentist about the review’s authenticity.
This brings us to…
Having the Dentist’s Approval
Check for products that have the approval of dental organizations.
One way for that is to see products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
And you can always ask your dentist or consult the best dental clinic in Dubai for any recommendations regarding whitening strips.
Ingredients in the Strips
The ingredients are the most important thing about the strips.
If there are no bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide then they may not be as effective.
Go for ingredients that are proven and effective rather than those you are unsure about.
This brings us to popular choices.
- Crest 3D White Glamorous Whitestrips: The strips are easy to apply and come off. They contain 14 percent hydrogen peroxide.
- AuraGlow Complete LED Whitening Kit: This includes an LED mouthguard with strips. It contains carbamide peroxide which does not cause as much sensitivity as Hydrogen peroxide.
- Luminex Whitening Kit: This comes with mouthwash and toothpaste making it an all-in-one whitening solution.
Finally,
Teeth whitening strips can provide a quicker and effective solution to yellow teeth.
Say bye to the yellowness and welcome a pearly white smile after using it for 2 weeks regularly.
If you want a permanent solution, visit your dentist to explore other options.
Read a few articles on after teeth whitening and more.
