The safety of teeth whitening strips is a common worry for people wanting to brighten their smiles at home. Have you ever thought if the usage of such strips could damage your teeth or create some other problem?
It's understandable to be cautious when it comes to your oral health, and you want to be sure that you are making a good choice. The good news here is that whitening strips, when used correctly, are considered to be safe and may give good results.
In this article, we're going to inspect the safety of these strips, discuss people's most common concerns with them, and discuss which person should avoid them. By the end, you will most confidently be using them to better your smile.
So, let's get started.
Before getting straight to the safety of teeth whitening strips, it's important to know how teeth whitening strips actually work.
Whitening strips are thin, elastic pieces of plastic; a whitening gel wholly or partially covers these. The whitening gel has peroxide, mostly hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, considered the active ingredient responsible for bleaching the teeth.
Once applied to the teeth, peroxide starts to decompose the stains on the surface of your enamel. This helps gradually whiten the teeth and makes them whiter and brighter.
These strips are designed for home use and are relatively easy to apply. You usually wear them for 20-30 minutes per day for one or two weeks. Results may vary depending on the severity of tooth discoloration and frequency of use.
Many wonder whether whitening strips are even safe to use on a regular basis.
Following are some basic concerns:
Major concerns do exist about what whitening strips do to tooth enamel. The enamel is the calcified hard layer on the outside of your teeth that serves to protect the soft parts from decay.
While peroxide is a strong chemical, it is actually at such low concentrations in most over-the-counter whitening strips that it has been deemed non-destructive to the enamel if used as directed.
However, frequent use of the strips or leaving them on longer than suggested may lead to possible enamel damage. Always follow the directions of use to minimize possible risks of harm.
The other very normal side effect of such whitening strips includes sensitivity in the teeth. Many users often complain about sensitivity regarding hot or cold food and drinks after the application.
This is because the peroxide may penetrate the enamel to get on the dentin layer of your teeth with nerves. If your teeth are sensitive, you can feel a little discomfort either during or after the treatment.
Fortunately, this sensitivity is usually temporary and disappears after you stop using the strips. If sensitivity becomes an issue, you can use the strips less often or try a formula designed for sensitive teeth.
While some find it non-irritating, others have expressed their apprehension that this might irritate their gums. Peroxide can irritate if the whitening strips overlap with your gums or even temporarily whiten the gums.
This can be uncomfortable, but most irritation will resolve after a few hours. To prevent this, make sure to put the strips carefully on your teeth without reaching your gums.
In most whitening strips, hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide is the prime ingredient; these are bleaching agents that break down the stains on your teeth.
All these ingredients in small quantitates are safe to use at home. Other whitening strip ingredients include:
● Glycerin: Helps the strips stick to your teeth.
● Water: Keeps the gel from drying out.
● Carbomer: Thickens the gel and keeps it in place.
● Flavoring agents: Used to improve the taste of the strips.
● Precaution: Always read the label before using such a whitening product, especially if you have allergies or sensitivities. If you need clarification on any of the ingredients, consult your dentist prior to starting treatment.
Though harmless to most, teeth whitening strips aren't for everyone. This is when you may want to steer clear of them:
Pregnancy or breastfeeding: Usually, pregnancy or lactation would contraindicate teeth whitening because of the lack of studies concerning the safety of peroxide.
● Dental work: Whitening strips won't work on crowns, veneers, or fillings, so if you have dental work on your front teeth, the results may look uneven.
● Sensitive teeth: If your teeth are super sensitive, the whitening strips can worsen the situation.
● Gum disease or cavities: Whitening treatments can further irritate untreated gum disease and tooth decay. Because of this, it is best to fix these issues first before whitening your teeth.
That's all you need to know about the safety of teeth whitening strips. If used according to instructions, they are safe and work well in lightening up your smile. While some people may experience mild sensitivity or gum irritation, these side effects are usually temporary and can be avoided by following the instructions.
If you have any apprehensions regarding the use of strips, it is always good to consult your dentist. You will, therefore, be able to enjoy whitening your teeth without compromising your dental health by adopting a cautious approach.
