There are probably a lot of items at your neighborhood pharmacy that promise to whiten your teeth.
Products for at-home teeth whitening first became accessible in the 1980s, and today they are widely available.
But do whitening strips and other products genuinely work to whiten teeth?
Yes, to answer briefly. Teeth whitening strips can function in as little as a few days and can whiten your teeth by one or two shades.
However, over-the-counter solutions are frequently less successful than in-office dental whitening procedures.
They also carry some dangers, like increased gum sensitivity and dental sensitivity.
Read on to discover how tooth whitening strips function and which products are the most efficient.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
✅ Strips for teeth whitening have the capacity to lighten your teeth by one or two shades.
✅ Results could become seen as soon as a few days following therapy.
✅ The optimum usage for at-home teeth whitening treatments is to cover up minor tooth discoloration.
✅ Consider visiting your dentist for an in-office cleaning if you have considerable stains.
✅ Consult your dentist before using any teeth-whitening products, and make sure the product bears the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance.
Whitening strips can indeed make teeth whiter.
By using hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to remove stains, teeth whitening strips have the ability to make your teeth whiter. When carbamide peroxide comes into contact with water, it decomposes into hydrogen peroxide.
The peroxides in whitening strips infiltrate the dentin layer deeper than the enamel layer of your teeth, where they bleach chromogens. Chromogens are pigmented chemicals that can be found both inside and outside of teeth and color them. Extrinsic and intrinsic staining are the two types of staining that can be categorized.
Extrinsic staining
Extrinsic discoloration affects the exterior of your tooth and is frequently brought on by outside elements like:
- smoking
- some meals and beverages, including dark berries, wine, and coffee
- antibiotics
- contact with metals like iron or copper
Intrinsic staining
The interior of your tooth is affected by intrinsic staining. It is brought on by things like:
- enamel erosion brought on by aging
- genetics
- antibiotics
- being exposed to a lot of fluorides
- issues with tooth development
Extrinsic and intrinsic stains are both the focus of whitening strips.
Both kinds of stains are susceptible to whitening strips. The stains that are most quickly removed by bleaching are typically those brought on by aging, heredity, smoking, or coffee. Aging stains that are yellowish also heal well. The optimum time to use whitening strips may be when you only need to slightly touch up the color of your teeth.
You might want to think about getting professional whitening from a dentist if you want more noticeable changes. A dentist can provide you with a personalized treatment that is most suited to your needs and utilize stronger bleaches.
Ingredients are significant when determining efficacy.
To remove stains from your teeth, most at-home whitening strips use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. On the other hand, some strips, particularly those used on cruise ships or in some beauty parlors, may contain chlorine dioxide.
Although its safety is disputed, chlorine dioxide is promoted as a safer and more effective substitute. Your tooth enamel may be stripped by chlorine dioxide. Additionally, it can leave your teeth more prone to sensitivity and restraint.
How long does it take to see outcomes?
The market has a wide variety of whitening strips, and each brand has a different set of instructions. Usually, you use whitening strips for two weeks, twice daily. Typically, you leave them on for a total of 30 minutes.
Your teeth may lighten by one or two shades as a result of tooth lightening, which can be noticed in as little as a few days. Some products may just need to be used once daily to get the same effects.
Precautions and risks to be aware of
Strips for teeth whitening are known to irritate the gums and enhance tooth sensitivity. These symptoms are typically not severe. Usually, tooth sensitivity begins during treatment and lasts for several days. Gum sensitivity may appear the day after treatment and often persists for several days.
The amount of peroxide in the whitener and how long you leave them on both affect how likely you are to experience these negative effects. High hydrogen peroxide concentrations have the potential to weaken the tooth structure and increase the risk of demineralization. Demineralization is the process by which your teeth lose calcium and other minerals.
Studies have shown that the use of 35 percent carbamine peroxide causes structural damage to the enamel.
The color of pre-existing fillings, crowns, bridges, or implants won’t be altered by teeth whitening, it should be noted. Whitening is only possible on natural teeth.
Advice for maintaining white teeth
You may prevent stains and improve your tooth health by practicing proper oral hygiene practices and limiting your intake of specific foods.