Are you thinking about whitening your teeth? Maybe you're wondering where to start. There are many whitening options available these days, from relatively inexpensive over-the-counter whitening solutions that include strips and gels to more expensive in-office treatments. Teeth whitening is a multi-billion dollar industry, and there are many over-the-counter options offered. However, it's hard to determine which treatment is right for you or if they are also worth it in all. While you may be looking for a DIY approach to whiten dull or yellowed teeth, you first need to take into consideration a number of variables. Read on for additional information about teeth whitening strips and also whether they are an excellent choice for your specific circumstance. Here, we'll talk about whitening strips and why you may or may not want to give them a try.
Teeth whitening strips do work. But do they make your teeth truly white? That depends entirely on the source of your stains and the natural color of your teeth. Dental strips can remove lifestyle stains. These are things like drinking coffee or red wine and smoking.
However, they will not remove stains from health problems or reactions to medications. You should see results in about 7 days if you use whitening strips as directed. There are more advanced whitening strips that claim to see results in as early as three days. Once you complete a full cycle, the results can last up to 6 months. To help your teeth stay white longer, avoid foods and beverages that can stain your teeth. Also, brush your teeth with whitening toothpaste.
Teeth Whitening Strips
Whitening strips are similar to bleach, but they are actually safe.
They use a combination of cleaning agents that basically bleach your teeth. The peroxide in the whitening strips cleans below the surface of your teeth and brings out the best and whitest parts of your teeth.
As for how quickly you can see results, this varies from person to person. Usually, they will start working immediately due to the bleaching agent in them. However, you should start to see a noticeable difference within 5-7 days.
From then on, if you continue to take care of your teeth, the whitening effect will remain.
So that means you have to cut back on drinks and foods that stick to your teeth, such as coffee, tea, wine, tobacco, and acidic foods. You also need to keep brushing 2-3 times a day, flossing once a day, and drinking plenty of water. And, of course, visit your dentist twice a year.
According to most teeth whitening strip manufacturers, the whitening effect of dental strips usually lasts about a year, but this can be affected by oral hygiene habits and diet.
Before And After Results of Using Whitening Strips
The good news is that whitening strips are fairly simple to use. Most whitening strips use a gel that contains peroxide, and the strips simply fold over your teeth. In fact, the reason they are so popular is that they are both effective and easy to use.
You want to make sure that the strips cover the entire front of each tooth, otherwise, you may have uneven whitening (not to be confused with the spots you may see when you first start using them). Also, you need to make sure that the strip is not touching your gums, as it can cause damage.
It is also important to only use as directed. If you don't use the strips enough, you may not see results. If you use too much, it may cause erosion of tooth enamel or cause sensitivity.
Budget Considerations
One of the most significant reasons that you may peruse the drug store for whitening strips is that they are relatively inexpensive. Typically, whitening strips cost anywhere from $30-50 for a box that has around 20 or so therapies. This is considerably less than the several hundred bucks that specialist teeth whitening treatments cost at a dental workplace. Nonetheless, it is necessary to keep in mind that, as with a lot of things in life, you get what you pay for. That's not to say that whitening strips don't function; it just implies that the results vary and also are definitely not guaranteed.
Mixed Results
When it concerns teeth whitening strips, there are just 3 items that have gained the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. This seal means that the over-the-counter products that fulfill ADA standards for safety and also performance. It may not amaze you to find out that these three items go to the top of the cost array for DIY teeth whitening treatments.
Numerous less costly products are FDA-approved and also risk-free to make use of. The producers of these products claim that they do a great task and will give you the brightest, whitest smile. However, there is no other way to understand if they will provide you the results that you desire. The only way to know is by a fair bit of trial and error.
An additional thing you need to take into consideration before attempting non-prescription whitening items is how discolored your teeth are presently. The performance of any type of whitening therapy, in big component, depends upon the beginning factor of your teeth.
Stained teeth can be the outcome of intrinsic variables such as genetics, aging or medical problems. They can also be the result of cigarette smoking and also diet. Teeth whitening strips that you can buy at the drug shop tend to work much better on teeth affected by external elements (smoking cigarettes or regularly consuming alcohol coffee, tea, soda and wine). Intrinsic tooth discoloration is normally more difficult to change and also may require expert treatments.
Preferred Results
If you do locate an over the counter product that works, it may not get your teeth as white as you would certainly like. Expert teeth whitening generally has far more dramatic outcomes because dental professionals have the ability to utilize options that are much stronger than hydrogen peroxide, the main whitening representative in over the counter products. Normally, professional whitening can make teeth several tones whiter in a shorter amount of time than whitening strips.
Additionally, you likewise need to think about just how much of the tooth surface area can be covered with the whitening strip. The strips are made from flexible plastic, with one side covered with a whitening agent. The strips are put on both the leading as well as lower teeth as well as molded to try to cover the entire surface area of the tooth. It isn't very easy to make certain that all visible surfaces come in contact with the whitening strip, specifically along your gum tissue line and also in between your teeth. This can cause irregular whitening.
Over-the-counter whitening strips can take a while and also more than a little patience. Some whitening strips are recommended to be used for five minutes per therapy and others are advised for as much as 30 mins. Some therapies are to be worn once a day, and also others recommend two times a day. No matter, whitening strips slowly lighten teeth shade by shade as well as can use up to a number of months to attain the desired results.
Most of the times, specialist treatments can produce whiter teeth after just one dental office check out. Teeth whitening strips require to be used consistently and also have to end up being a part of your daily routine in order to attain remarkable results. For some, it might be preferred to see the dental practitioner a two to three times for specialist treatments rather than wait months for a remarkable modification.
To be fair, neither whitening strips neither specialist whitening treatments are implied to be long-term. Both methods require to be duplicated for the very same white color to be preserved. Typically, the white color accomplished with whitening strips lasts for about six months. Specialist therapies normally last for about two years.
While teeth whitening strips are safe, they aren't always foolproof. In many cases, they might be left on also long, causing tooth sensitivity or even damage to tooth enamel. As well as although they use a milder solution than expert whitening therapies, the strips do contain rather harsh chemicals. Some people may have adverse responses to these chemicals, consisting of irritated as well as swollen gum tissues.
If you decide to go with professional teeth whitening therapies, your dentist will take safety measures to shield your teeth and also gums. The treatments will certainly take place in a regulated setting as well as be done by trained specialists.
The bottom line when it comes to safety is that even if you pick to use non-prescription teeth whitening strips, you must first seek advice from your dentist. Your dentist can evaluate your overall oral health and wellness and also may additionally recommend the most effective products for your teeth and also offer advice on just how to avoid any type of problems when making use of the whitening strips.
If you want to brighten your smile, whitening strips may be the ideal choice for you. They are easy to use, reasonably priced, and remove surface stains. Talk to your dental professional to discuss their opinion. Remember, good oral hygiene and routine professional cleanings at home can also whiten your teeth.
