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Teeth whitening strips can lighten your teeth a shade or two. It may only take several days after treatment. Home teeth whitening products are best for mild discoloration.
If you visit your local pharmacy, you’ll likely see many products claiming to whiten your teeth. Home teeth whitening products first became available in the
But do teeth whitening strips and other whitening products actually work?
The short answer is yes. Teeth whitening strips can whiten your teeth by a shade or two and can act in as little as a few days.
But home products aren’t usually as effective as in-office dental whitening techniques. They also come with some risks such as increased tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.
Keep reading to learn about how teeth whitening strips work and which types of products are most effective.
Teeth whitening strips have the potential to whiten your teeth by bleaching stains with hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Carbamide peroxide is a molecule that breaks down into hydrogen peroxide when it comes into contact with water.
Peroxides in whitening strips penetrate the outer layer of your tooth called the enamel and enter the deeper dentin layer, where they bleach chromogens. Chromogens are pigmented molecules found inside and outside your tooth that cause staining.
Staining can be divided into two categories: extrinsic and intrinsic staining.
Extrinsic staining
Extrinsic staining affects the outside of your tooth and is largely caused by environmental factors such as:
- smoking
- certain foods and drinks such as coffee, wine, dark berries
- antibiotics
- exposure to metals such as iron or copper
Intrinsic staining
Intrinsic staining affects the inside of your tooth. It’s caused by factors such as:
- age-related enamel erosion
- genetics
- antibiotics
- exposure to high levels of fluoride
- tooth development disorders
Whitening strips target both extrinsic and intrinsic stains
Whitening strips can target both types of stains. Stains caused by aging, genetics, smoking, or coffee are generally the
Whitening strips may be best used when you’re trying to make a small touch-up to your tooth color.
For more significant changes, you may want to consider professional whitening from a dentist. A dentist can use stronger bleaches and give you a custom treatment best suited to your needs.
Home whitening strips generally contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to bleach stains in your teeth. However, some strips, especially those used at some
Chlorine dioxide is touted to be a safer and more effective alternative, but its safety is debated. Chlorine dioxide may strip your tooth enamel. It may also make your teeth more prone to restaining and becoming extremely sensitive.
Here are some of the whitening strips we recommend that use hydrogen peroxide as their active ingredient. (You can purchase online by clicking the links.)
There are many types of whitening strips available on the market and instructions vary between brands.
Typically, you use whitening strips
Tooth lightening can be seen in as little as
Teeth whitening strips are known to cause increased tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. Usually, these symptoms are mild.
Tooth sensitivity usually starts at the time of treatment and lasts for several days. Gum irritation may start within a day of treatment and also typically lasts for several days.
Your risk of developing these side effects increases with the concentration of peroxide in the whitener and the amount of time you leave them on.
Using high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide can potentially damage the structure of your teeth and make your teeth more susceptible to demineralization. Demineralization is the loss of calcium and other minerals from your teeth.
Also, keep in mind that teeth whitening won’t change the color of existing fillings, crowns, bridges, or implants. Only natural teeth can be whitened.
Following good oral hygiene habits and minimizing your consumption of certain foods can help you avoid staining and maximize your tooth health.
Here are some specific ways to keep your teeth white.
White teeth maintenance tips
- Limit consumption of staining foods. Some foods and drinks such as coffee, red wine, dark berries, and sodas are notorious for staining teeth.
- Use a straw. When consuming beverages that have the potential to stain, a straw can help avoid the beverage’s direct contact with your teeth.
- Brush your teeth. Brushing your teeth shortly after consuming a staining food or drink can help limit their effect.
- Follow good dental hygiene habits. Following good overall dental hygiene habits such as brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing can help you avoid tooth decay and other issues that may cause discoloration.
- Eat plenty of calcium. Eating plenty of calcium can help you keep your teeth strong and reduce your chances of developing cavities.
- Limit your sugar intake. Harmful bacteria in your body produce acid when they encounter sugar. This acid breaks down your teeth and can lead to tooth decay.
- Avoid smoking and other forms of tobacco use. Nicotine found in tobacco products can give your teeth a yellowish stain. After chronic use, your teeth may begin to look brown.
- Use whitening products as a touch-up treatment. You shouldn’t solely rely on whitening products to keep your teeth white. But they can be used to touch up mild discoloration.
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Teeth whitening strips have the potential to lighten your teeth by a shade or two. You may be able to see results as soon as several days after treatment.
Home teeth whitening products are best used to touch up mild discoloration of your teeth. If you’re dealing with significant staining, you may want to visit your dentist for an in-office cleaning.
Before using any teeth whitening product, talk with your dentist and check to see if the product has the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance.
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Now, let's dive into the information provided in this article.
Teeth Whitening Strips: How They Work and Effectiveness
Teeth whitening strips are a popular home teeth whitening product that can lighten your teeth by a shade or two. They have been available since the 1980s and are widely available in pharmacies and stores. While they can be effective, it's important to note that they may not be as effective as in-office dental whitening techniques.
Teeth whitening strips typically contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as their active ingredients. These peroxides bleach stains on the teeth by penetrating the outer layer of the tooth called the enamel and reaching the deeper dentin layer. In the dentin layer, they bleach pigmented molecules called chromogens, which are responsible for staining.
Staining can be categorized into two types: extrinsic and intrinsic staining. Extrinsic staining affects the outside of the tooth and is caused by environmental factors such as smoking, certain foods and drinks (like coffee, wine, and dark berries), antibiotics, and exposure to metals. Intrinsic staining, on the other hand, affects the inside of the tooth and can be caused by factors such as age-related enamel erosion, genetics, antibiotics, exposure to high levels of fluoride, and tooth development disorders.
Teeth whitening strips can target both extrinsic and intrinsic stains. Stains caused by aging, genetics, smoking, or coffee tend to respond well to bleaching. However, for more significant changes or if you have specific dental concerns, it's advisable to consult a dentist for professional whitening. Dentists can use stronger bleaches and provide custom treatments tailored to your needs.
When it comes to the effectiveness of teeth whitening strips, the concentration of the active ingredient and the duration of use play a role. Most whitening strips are used twice a day for about 2 weeks, with each application lasting around 30 minutes. Results can be seen in as little as several days, and teeth can be lightened by a shade or two.
However, it's important to be aware of the potential risks and precautions associated with teeth whitening strips. These products can cause increased tooth sensitivity and gum irritation, although these symptoms are usually mild and temporary. The risk of side effects increases with the concentration of peroxide in the whitener and the duration of use. Using high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide can potentially damage the structure of the teeth and make them more susceptible to demineralization.
It's also worth noting that teeth whitening will not change the color of existing fillings, crowns, bridges, or implants. Only natural teeth can be whitened.
To maintain white teeth and minimize staining, it's recommended to follow good oral hygiene habits, limit consumption of staining foods and drinks, use a straw when consuming such beverages, brush your teeth shortly after consuming staining substances, and follow good overall dental hygiene practices.
In conclusion, teeth whitening strips can be an effective option for lightening teeth by a shade or two. They target both extrinsic and intrinsic stains, but for more significant changes or specific dental concerns, professional whitening from a dentist may be more suitable. It's important to use these products according to the instructions and be aware of the potential risks and precautions associated with their use.
Please note that the information provided is based on the search results and general knowledge. It's always a good idea to consult with a dental professional for personalized advice and recommendations.
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