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We all want to have dazzling smiles in time for the summer months. Almost every commercial features families flashing their pearly whites by the pool. Everyone wants to look and feel their best in the summertime, especially with all the summer holidays and events happening. Because of this, many people turn to teeth whitening strips to achieve their desired color.
While at-home whitening strips are widely considered safe for use, there are some considerations to keep in mind. Perhaps the biggest consideration when choosing a whitening strip is its ingredient list. Some common ingredients are:
- Hydrogen peroxide – the whitening agent that bleaches enamel
- Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) – keeps enamel from developing stains in the future
- Sodium hydroxide – stain remover
- Glycerin – helps keep the strips in place
- Hydroxypropylcellulose – helps the strips adhere to your teeth
According to the Environmental Working Group, some of these ingredients are toxic to the body and should be limited in use. A few of these ingredients, if overused, can irritate the gums, damage your tooth enamel, and cause teeth sensitivity. There are even some strips that should be avoided altogether as they contain chlorine dioxide – the same chemical used to disinfect swimming pools – yikes! Unfortunately, there is also new evidence that whitening strips could be damaging the dentin – the area under your teeth’s enamel – and depleting the collagen in your teeth.
Research done by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has found evidence to suggest that hydrogen peroxide may be chipping away at the collagen within the dentin in small fragments, leading to a loss of protein in the teeth. Hydrogen peroxide can also increase tooth sensitivity by oxidizing proteins in the dentin layer, which breaks them down and exposes the nerves. This harsh chemical can also damage your gum’s soft tissue if it comes into contact with it, which is hard to avoid with one-size strips. Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to find effective whitening strips that don’t contain hydrogen peroxide since this is the most common whitening agent, but the good news is, as long as you aren’t using the strips for an extended amount of time, they are still considered safe for short use.
Although these findings should be taken seriously, whitening strips still remain an effective, affordable, and generally safe way to get a bright smile. Here are some tips to help ensure that you are minimizing the risk of damage while using whitening strips or minimizing the need for strips:
- Avoid brushing your teeth right after you finish a whitening treatment.
- Strips can leave your enamel more susceptible to damage from abrasive toothpastes, causing damage to the surface of your teeth.
- Take extra precautions when using the express strips.
- Some brands offer express kits that give faster results in a shorter amount of time, requiring you to wear the strips for an extended time. Use these sparingly as the extended time on your teeth, if done frequently, could lead to more damage.
- Attempt to avoid foods and drinks that stain your teeth in the first place, and practice good oral care.
- Limit dark and staining foods and drinks, rinse your mouth with water and brush your teeth after meals, and practice good oral care. These habits will help reduce staining on your teeth and thus reduce the need for whitening strips. Check out our post here for tips on keeping your teeth white after a whitening treatment.
- Try hydroxyapatite toothpaste or make sure to get toothpaste with fluoride in it.
- Hydroxyapatite toothpaste remineralizes your teeth, whitens teeth, and prevents cavities, while fluoride reduces sensitivity and strengthens teeth.
- Find strips that don’t contain too high of a concentration of hydrogen peroxide.
- The concentration should be no greater than 14% in order to prevent damage.
- Cut the strips to fit your unique smile, or better yet – get customized whitening trays.
- Every smile is unique, so standard strips are not going to be a perfect fit for everyone. This could result in the strips overlapping onto your gums and causing sensitivity and damage. Try cutting the strips into a shape that fits your smile, or talk to your dentist about getting custom dental whitening trays.
- Avoid going to an esthetician for whitening, and stick with dental offices.
- Did you know that in most states, tooth whitening outside of a dentist’s office is banned? Estheticians have not undergone the lengthy dental training needed to ensure your mouth stays healthy, so it’s best to stick with dental professionals for anything involving the teeth.
Want to know our best tip for getting a brilliant smile in the safest way possible? See your dentist for an in-office bleaching session. While your dentist may use a higher concentration of ingredients, it’s safer because they can tailor the procedure to your individual smile, and they can safely monitor the procedure. Treatment at a dentist office will result in a more noticeable color change than with at-home strips, and your dentist can help protect your gums and the rest of your mouth from the harsh chemicals.
Simply Smiles Miami offers in-office bleaching treatments as well as at-home whitening trays. Right now for the month of June, we are offering our in-office whitening for the low price of $299! This procedure normally costs $475, so call our office today to schedule a whitening appointment and take advantage of this great deal! Your summer smile is right around the corner!
Sources:
https://simplysmilesmiami.com/services/cosmetic-dentistry/#1556534764121-6205ab21-d437
https://drjasonharvey.ca/what-you-should-know-before-using-teeth-whitening-strips/
https://www.dentaly.org/us/teeth-whitening/whitening-strips/bad-for-teeth/
https://thrivedentist.com/crest-white-strips-do-they-work-safety-alternatives-in-allen-texas/
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/how-whitening-strips-can-harm-your-teeth#The-bottom-line
https://www.deerparksmiles.com/teeth-whitening-performed-dentist/