Craving a brighter smile? Then you’re probably bombarded with the many whitening options on the market. There are seemingly limitless methods, from dentist-led treatments to toothpaste that promise the world.
One of the most popular are teeth whitening strips — something many people swear by.
But do teeth whitening strips really work? Spoiler alert: yes! But we’ll explain why and even give you a few tips and tricks to maximise your results in the following sections.
What Are Teeth Whitening Strips?
As the name suggests, teeth whitening strips are flexible plastic strips coated with a gel that you apply over your teeth to whiten them. The gel contains either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen (the substance that whitens your teeth) and an adhesive to ensure they stay in place.
How Do Teeth Whitening Strips Work?
Teeth whitening strips brighten and whiten your smile by bleaching any stains with carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. The former is a molecule that becomes hydrogen peroxide when it’s touched by water.
These peroxides penetrate your tooth’s outer layer (known as enamel) and head into the deeper dentin layer. Once they arrive, they bleach chromogens, pigmented molecules inside and outside the tooth that cause staining.
Are Teeth Whitening Strips Effective?
Generally speaking, teeth whitening strips are effective, but you need to purchase high-quality strips boasting the best ingredients to enjoy the effectiveness. While they usually contain the previously mentioned peroxides, some may contain chlorine — something that is touted as a safer alternative but is actually controversial and may make your teeth more prone to restaining and sensitivity.
We recommend using trusted teeth-whitening products, like Crest 3D White Strips Glamorous White and Crest 3D White Whitestrips – LUXE Edition.
Pros and Cons of Teeth Whitening Strips
While teeth whitening strips are definitely effective, there are advantages and disadvantages to using them. Understanding both sides of the coin will ensure you make the right decision for you and your (soon-to-be) pearly whites:
The Pros of Teeth Whitening Strips
- Affordability — Compared to teeth whitening services and products offered by dentists, teeth whitening strips are certainly cheaper. Whether you don’t have the funds for in-practice treatments or simply aren’t prepared to spend hundreds (if not thousands) on a brighter smile, strips afford you the confidence-boosting benefits of whiter teeth without breaking the bank.
- Readily available — You can buy whitening strips from almost anywhere, including online from us at Advanced Whitening. We provide the highest-quality whitening strips on the market, allowing you to achieve the smile you deserve.
- Easy to use — Whitening strips are exceptionally easy to use. Simply brush your teeth, peel off the cover, and press the strips firmly onto your upper and lower teeth before leaving for 30 minutes (or the duration stated on the packaging) and removing them.
The of Teeth Whitening Strips
- Risk of weakened or damaged enamel — If you overuse whitening strips (i.e., don’t follow the instructions), they can damage or weaken your enamel due to excessive bleaching. When this happens, your teeth may look grey, blue, or even translucent.
- Tooth or gum sensitivity — Some individuals who use teeth whitening products like strips notice mild tooth sensitivity afterwards. Others experience gum irritation or erosion of fillings. Luckily, you can minimise this risk by following the packaging instructions and using only high-quality strips.
- Uneven results — Do you have cramped or crooked teeth? If so, you may not get even results from whitening strips, as they won’t be able to fit perfectly over every tooth. Thus, you’ll end up with white blotches on your enamel, rather than an even brightness. To counteract this, take your time when applying them to ensure you cover the entire surface of every tooth.
Tips for Best Results with Whitening Strips
Whitening strips are easy to use, affordable, and effective, but to get the best possible results, you should follow our tips and tricks below:
- Brush beforehand – Use a wet toothbrush to brush your teeth before applying whitening strips. You don’t need to use toothpaste, as it can reduce the effectiveness of the strips. After brushing, rinse your mouth with water.
- Be precise with application – To avoid uneven whitening, you need to be precise when applying the strips because they only whiten the areas they cover. Take your time and give every tooth the attention that it deserves.
- Don’t overuse – Teeth whitening strips are safe to use in moderation but never exceed the recommended frequency and duration. If you overuse them, you risk permanent damage and protective enamel erosion, ultimately resulting in tooth loss.
- Avoid your gums – While the peroxides used in whitening strips aren’t as strong as the bleaching agents used by dentist-supervised treatments, they can still damage the gums’ soft tissue. Therefore, you need to ensure the strips don’t come into contact with your gums. You may need to cut the strips so they match your teeth exactly.
- Don’t consume dark/food or drink – Avoid tea, coffee, berries, sweets, and other dark-coloured foods and drinks for a few hours after whitening to avoid restaining your teeth.
Do Teeth Whitening Strips Work?
Do teeth whitening strips really work? Absolutely! They’re safe, effective, and affordable, helping you brighten your smile at home. For best results, just remember to follow the provided instructions and our tips and tricks.
