From teeth whitening strips to clip-on veneers and teeth whitening kits, the demand for quick-fix dental products and prosthetics seems to be on the rise. But who is to blame when having a pearly set of whites is crucial to one’s success and happiness in modern times?
The desire to achieve a perfect smile for low costs within the comfort of your home has led many people to experiment with hundreds of new dental products in the market.
But what most people neglect to consider is how these products that promise to give you immediate results will affect your teeth in the long run.
In the following article, we will highlight how teeth whitening strips can harm your teeth. In addition to safer alternatives, you can consider.
What are teeth whitening strips?
Teeth whitening strips are translucent strips that contain hydrogen peroxide or sometimes other bleaching agents. And how should you use teeth whitening strips? Well, to apply the product, you must place the gel side of the strips directly on your teeth avoiding your gums.
It is best to floss your teeth but not brush them before applying the strips. Especially with fluoride teeth paste. Following this, you should keep the strips for as long as the instructions indicate. Ideally, you should not exceed the time limit.
The hydrogen peroxide will then penetrate the pores of your enamel to break down the stains underneath. Instructions usually allow brushing your teeth after treatment.
3 Side effects of teeth whitening strips
Teeth whitening strips may seem like a harmless product that will magically give you the smile you want. But although it may seem tempting, there are actually many side effects to using whitening strips. Let us explore some of the most common risks that the product can cause.
1- Gum problems
It is evident that teeth whitening strips can harm your gums since the instruction ask you to keep the strips away from your gums. But the issue is, no matter how hard you try, the strips can still irritate your gums. This is because the strips come in uniform size and design that does not accommodate to different jaw sizes and teeth alignments.
Therefore, it can be very hard to avoid contact between the bleaching agents in the whitening strips and your gums. Over continuous use, the strips can cause your gums to recede. Gum recession is a serious dental concern that requires complex procedures to reverse.
Since the whitening strips do not use blue light to make the whitening process more efficient, you will have to use the product more than once. And by extension, this increases the risk of damaging your gums.
2- Tooth sensitivity
Because teeth whitening strips give you results over repeated use, it means you will expose your teeth to harsh products for quite a period of time. The bleaching agents can erode your enamel, which is the outer protective layer of your teeth.
The thing about any damage that affects the enamel is that it is not reversible. Without this protective layer, your nerves will be vulnerable to temperature changes, decay, and even nerve issues.
We recommend seeing a professional to whiten your teeth. But if you insist on using teeth whitening strips, then ensure you don’t go over the time limit. Likewise, don’t go overboard with the strips and space out your treatments.
3- Uneven whitening
Since teeth whitening strips are not special for the structure of your mouth, you will miss some areas. Especially considering that you will have to avoid the gums. So, for most people, the results will give them a patchy smile, with areas of pristine shine and others with a yellowing cast.
Are they effective?
Whether teeth whitening strips are effective or not depends on the cause of your pigmentation. If your teeth are yellow because of tobacco use or consumption of staining beverages and foods, then yes. You will likely see some results with the strips.
However, if your teeth and genetically darker in shade, then it is useless. In this case, you have to look into veneers.
Should I brush teeth before white strips?
Yes, it is recommended to brush your teeth before using whitening strips. Brushing your teeth will help remove any surface stains or debris that may interfere with the whitening process, allowing the strips to work more effectively. Additionally, brushing your teeth before using whitening strips can help improve the overall health and cleanliness of your mouth, which can contribute to better oral hygiene and a brighter, healthier smile.
Are teeth whitening strips safe?
In short, teeth whitening strips may work for some people. But enamel damage is almost inevitable, in addition to gum problems and tooth sensitivity.
It is best to whiten your teeth at the dentist’s. If your issue is costs, consider destinations such as Turkey. Renowned for being the world’s biggest dental tourism destination, Turkey annually hosts hundreds of thousands of patients for dental procedures alone.
Instead of opting for risky products, you can get much better results with professional teeth whitening in under an hour.
Read also : Is laser teeth whitening safe?
