Whitening strips are, quite often, one of the best methods for whitening your teeth at home (and even dentists will use powerful strips, on occasion). However, one big question is whether whitening strips can damage teeth. The answer? Maybe. But, if you’re careful, the chances of this happening are minimal.
Let’s explain.
What Do Whitening Strips Actually Do?
While they seem like magic, there’s a lot going on with whitening strips. So, let’s give you a quick overview of how they work before we take a dive into whether they’ll damage your teeth.
How They Whiten Your Teeth
Most teeth whitening strips contain hydrogen peroxide (or some other form of peroxide). When you use them, the hydrogen peroxide will penetrate the enamel of the tooth. They then enter the dentin. Here, they bleach pigments known as chromogens. By bleaching them, the teeth are whitened.
Ingredients Explained – Hydrogen Peroxide v Non-Peroxide
You can also find non-peroxide teeth whitening strips. While they are generally safer to use than hydrogen peroxide strips, they are not as effective. They don’t penetrate the teeth. They don’t bleach anything. Instead, they’ll lift stains from the surface of the teeth.
While non-peroxide solutions will work for some people, they rarely give the dramatic results that people want.
Are Whitening Strips Safe When Used Correctly?
Yes. For most people, whitening strips are safe when used correctly. There are a few caveats, though.
Backed by Dentists and Studies
Firstly, only purchase teeth whitening strips that have been backed up by dentists and studies. Some of the cheaper strips on the market don’t do this, and it can be tough to vouch for their safety.
Quality strips will have been backed by dentists and studies, which indicate that they are safe to use. This is assuming that you follow the instructions properly, but more on that part soon.
Why Quality Matters
Don’t buy cheap teeth whitening strips. Quality matters.
You want teeth whitening strips that are classed as enamel safe. For example, some of the cheaper options on the market don’t contain hydrogen peroxide. Instead, they contain an ingredient known as chlorine dioxide. Some people claim that chlorine dioxide is more effective than hydrogen peroxide. It might be. The problem is that studies have shown that this ingredient will strip the enamel from your teeth, giving you less protection. This can result in far more sensitive teeth, and increased staining in the future.
Cheaper products should be avoided altogether, since you have no idea what ingredients are included in the product. You really don’t want to put random things into your mouth, do you?
We recommend buying a quality products such as Crest 3D White Strips.
What Are the Possible Side Effects?
There are some side effects to using teeth whitening strips. Not many, and a few of the problems can be avoided.
Sensitivity – and Why It’s Usually Temporary
Most people will experience some mild sensitivity when they use hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening strips. This is because the chemical is penetrating the tooth enamel. It is getting deep inside there. This could cause light irritation of the nerves in the tooth.
Thankfully, if you are using the product as per instructions then the sensitivity issues should clear up quickly. You just might need to avoid overly cold/hot food or putting too much pressure on your teeth for a few hours.
Gum Irritation – How to Avoid It
The chemicals in teeth whitening strips can be quite harsh. While they are fine on your teeth, getting them on your gums can cause serious irritation. It can be quite painful.
Basically, avoid getting the whitening strip on your gums. Be careful when using them. This is another reason why you should be using high-quality whitening strips. It means that they are the right size for your teeth, ensuring that they don’t need to come into contact with your gums at all.
Enamel Concerns – Myth vs Reality
If you’re using hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening strips, then you’re fine. No study has shown that hydrogen peroxide will wear down tooth enamel. Your teeth might get a little bit sensitive for a while due to irritation of the nerves in your teeth from the bleaching agent, but you should be fine.
You should avoid whitening strips that contain chlorine dioxide, though. Studies have proven that chlorine dioxide will strip enamel from your teeth.
How to Use Whitening Strips Safely and Effectively
While the risk of using teeth whitening strips is minimal, it is still essential that you learn how to use them properly.
Follow Instructions
Always read the instructions for your teeth whitening strips. They’ll tell you how long to leave them on for, how often to use them, how to use them, etc. Follow the instructions perfectly, and you’ll rarely have any issues.
This is especially important when it comes to how long you should leave the strips on your teeth for. Most products require you to leave them on for about an hour, so people fall asleep with them on. This causes huge sensitivity issues when they wake up.
Don’t Overuse Them
It’s not good to subject your teeth to a barrage of chemicals daily. All teeth whitening products will tell you how frequently you should use them for. Some can be used a couple of times per day, others should only be used once or twice per week. Stick to those instructions.
Never overuse products, as it can cause major tooth sensitivity issues. Once you’ve reached the desired whiteness for your teeth, it might even be wise to roll back the use a little.
Listen to Your Teeth – and Take Breaks if Needed
Tooth pain? Stop using the whitening strips for a while. Always listen to your teeth. If they’re telling you something is wrong, there probably is. If you’re always dealing with tooth pain no matter how many breaks you take, it might be wise to change the whitening strips you use.
Who Might Need Extra Caution?
Some people might need to take extra care when using whitening strips.
People with Dental Restorations or Gum Issues
If you’ve had dental restorations carried out, or you have gum issues, then your teeth might be a little bit more sensitive when using whitening strips. This is because your teeth will have less of a protective layer on them.
If you have gum disease (for instance), then don’t use strips at all. It will irritate them.
Safer Alternatives for Sensitive Teeth
Using whitening toothpastes might help if you have sensitive teeth. You can also use non-peroxide solutions, just bear in mind that these options might not be as effective as peroxide-containing teeth whitening strips.
Are Whitening Strips Bad for Your Teeth?
When used as intended, whitening strips are a safe, effective, and affordable way to feel more confident about your smile. Whitening strips are fantastic at helping you to whiten your teeth. Make sure that you purchase high-quality whitening strips for the best impact on your smile.
