Are cheap whitening strips safe?

27 May.,2024

 

Teeth Whitening Strips and Dental Health - Humana

Although many dentists offer professional teeth whitening services, it's often cheaper to whiten teeth at home, and as a result, do-it-yourself teeth whitening kits continue to gain popularity. In fact, the most widely used home remedy for fixing stained or discolored teeth are whitening strips. You can get these strips without a prescription from a dentist, or from your local pharmacy, and can easily apply them at home to restore your teeth to their original color and shine.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website whitening strips free sample.

How do whitening strips work?

Teeth whitening strips contain peroxide or bleach. Thus, they work to whiten your teeth the same way bleach works to whiten your clothes or your hair. The peroxide bleaches color from your teeth in order to restore their natural, white color.1

Most whitening strips are made out of polyethylene, which is a thin, elastic type of plastic. The plastic is coated with peroxide, and certain types of strips contain more than others. You apply the strips to your teeth according to the package directions so that the peroxide comes into contact with your tooth enamel. This allows the peroxide to remove stains and discoloration from the surface of your teeth. Some strips need to be removed after a certain period of time, while others do not.2

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Benefits of teeth whitening strips

The primary benefit of using teeth whitening strips is that they are less expensive than other teeth whitening treatments. Most at-home whitening tools are more affordable than going to the dentist to get your teeth whitened. Strips tend to be inexpensive because they are made out of materials that don&#;t cost very much; plastic and peroxide are both relatively cheap materials to manufacture.3

In addition to the low cost, whitening strips are easy to use. Most kits come with 2 sets of strips. One set is for your upper teeth and the other set is for your lower teeth. The kit also comes with instructions on how long to leave the strips on your teeth. Usually you have to put them on twice a day for an average of 2 weeks.

Finally, whitening strips deliver quick results. Your teeth should begin to look whiter within a few days of using the strips and the results should last at least 4 months.

Should I use teeth whitening strips before or after brushing?

Always brush your teeth before you use whitening strips, otherwise plaque and bacteria will be trapped between the strip and your teeth. This makes it more likely that you will experience tooth decay or other dental problems. In addition, if there&#;s dental plaque or bacteria on the teeth, it&#;s more difficult for whitening strips to do their job.4

However, you should not brush your teeth immediately before you apply whitening strips as they can sometimes irritate your gums. Instead, wait at least half an hour after brushing your teeth to apply whitening strips.5

If you see spots or excess gel on your teeth after removing the whitening strips, you can brush immediately after removing the strips. Doing so won&#;t harm your teeth. Of course, you should continue brushing twice a day while routinely using whitening strips so that your teeth will remain healthy and won&#;t become discolored again.

Are whitening strips safe to use?

The majority of whitening strips are safe to use; however, if you use whitening strips that contain chlorine dioxide, you could destroy the enamel on your teeth. Chlorine dioxide is the same acid used to disinfect swimming pools. It whitens teeth by eating away the surface of the enamel. Essentially, you are wearing down the enamel on your teeth and increasing your risk for tooth decay if you use this type of whitening strip.6

Even if your whitening strips don&#;t contain chlorine dioxide, it&#;s important to follow the directions on the package. Don&#;t get impatient and apply more whitening strips or use them for a longer period of time than is recommended. Doing so could be harmful to tooth enamel. Products that dissolve enamel can also harm gum tissue, so if your gums are irritated after using a product for a few days, you may want to discontinue use and see your dentist.

Should I get teeth whitening strips?

If your teeth are noticeably discolored, such as from drinking coffee, tea or red wine, or simply because you are older, then you may be able to improve your smile with teeth whitening strips.

While a professional teeth whitening treatment will likely be more effective overall, there are a few reasons why you might use teeth whitening strips instead. For starters, they&#;re more convenient. You can apply the strips at your convenience instead of scheduling an appointment. Teeth whitening strips are also cheaper than many professional teeth whitening treatments. If your teeth are only slightly discolored, it may not be worth paying for a full professional whitening treatment.

How to maintain white teeth

Whether you&#;ve had your teeth whitened or if you&#;re lucky enough to have natural bright white teeth, there are steps you can take to avoid future tooth discoloration7:

  • Take care of your teeth: Brush twice a day and floss once a day. In addition to helping your overall oral health, this will help prevent bacteria and plaque buildup, which can lead to tooth discoloration.
  • Avoid tobacco: In addition to increasing your risk of cancer and gum disease, smoking tobacco can significantly discolor your teeth. Avoiding or quitting smoking can make a big difference in the color of your teeth.
  • Rinse after drinking staining liquids: Dark liquids, such as coffee, tea, hot chocolate or red wine can contribute to tooth discoloration. Try gently rinsing your mouth with water in between sips of these drinks.
  • Have your teeth cleaned regularly: You should have your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year. The dentist or dental hygienist will scrape away tartar and polish your teeth, which helps fight discoloration.

Humana has dental plans that help pay for teeth whitening

If you&#;re interested in professional teeth whitening, we have plans in certain states that offer a $100/year allowance for in-office treatments. To see plans and prices in your area, check out our Humana Insurance Company dental insurance page.

Whitening strips: Do they work and how to use them

Whitening strips are a popular dental product that may help remove stains from and whiten the teeth. While they are not as effective as treatments from a dentist&#;s office, they can be a more simple and cheap alternative. However, people should take care to check the ingredients of the strips and apply them carefully.

Teeth can be an important part of a person&#;s self-image. Inevitably, teeth begin to yellow with age, but people can use various techniques to slow the process. Among these techniques are whitening strips, which people can purchase over the counter (OTC) and use to help remove stains and whiten teeth.

People apply whitening strips directly to their teeth. Although the strips contain chemicals, such as carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, the American Dental Association (ADA) states that they are safe and effective if they bear the ADA Seal of Acceptance. However, people may experience adverse effects when using any whitening products.

In this article, we look at whether whitening strips work, what to look for when buying them, how to use them, their pros and cons, and how to avoid teeth staining.

Do they work?

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According to the ADA, teeth whitening products, including strips, can help effectively remove both internal and external stains on teeth. However, they do not work on fake teeth. A review also states that teeth whitening strips are an effective OTC agent that typically works better than other OTC whitening agents, such as whitening toothpaste.

The company is the world’s best whitening strips without chlorine dioxide supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

However, it is important to note that at-home whitening strips contain lower concentrations of whitening ingredients than dentist-supplied products. People with heavily stained teeth or high expectations may not get the results they want using OTC whitening strips.

Additionally, the effectiveness of the strips may rely on the strength of the chemicals and how long people keep them on the teeth. Evidence suggests, though, that using teeth whitening products that contain hydrogen peroxide can endanger tooth health. Therefore, it may be advisable to discuss the use of these products with a dentist.

What to look for

When shopping for whitening strips, people may wish to consider the following:

  • Ingredients: People should opt for products that contain proven effective ingredients, including carbamide and hydrogen peroxide.
  • Dentist approval: It is advisable to look for products with approval from dental organizations, such as those with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
  • Customer reviews: People can also check online reviews to see what others have to say about a product. A comparison of before and after photos can provide an accurate view of what to expect from a particular brand of whitening strip. Additionally, a person can ask their dentist for specific advice.

How to use

People should carefully read any information on the product&#;s packaging and instructions before using whitening strips.

However, a person typically applies the strips directly to their teeth. Manufacturers may recommend avoiding brushing the teeth shortly before applying the strips. A person will then leave the strips on their teeth for the recommended length of time. This duration may vary among products, but it is common to leave the strips on for about 30 minutes.

Manufacturers may also recommend the ideal frequency of use for their whitening strips. A standard recommendation is to apply whitening strips twice daily for 2 weeks.

However, these instructions may vary depending on the product. Therefore, a person should follow the guidelines on the packaging and never wear the strips for longer than the manufacturer suggests.

Pros and cons

The pros of using whitening strips may include:

  • effective whitening
  • ease of use
  • no need to visit the dentist
  • affordable

While there are advantages to using whitening strips, there are also some downsides. These include:

  • The strips can cause side effects, such as tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. However, sensitivity is less likely to occur with at-home bleaching than it is with in-office procedures.
  • As whitening strips use bleaching agents to achieve their effects, the overuse of these products can damage the teeth.
  • Some people might not get the results they want with at-home whitening strips, which may not have dramatic effects. A person may have to do several sessions to get noticeable results.
  • It can be difficult to keep the strips in place, so using them might be fiddly.
  • Whitening sessions can take roughly 30 minutes, so using them requires time and patience.

People are more likely to experience side effects if they do not follow the manufacturer&#;s instructions for a product. If a person has gum disease or another dental disease, they should consult a dentist before trying OTC whitening strips.

Why stains develop and prevention

There are various reasons why teeth may stain over time. These include:

  • high intake of certain foods and drinks, such as coffee, red wine, and tea
  • use of tobacco products
  • medications, such as allergy medications and blood pressure drugs
  • wear and tear due to aging or trauma

People can attempt to avoid staining by limiting their consumption of foods and drinks that are known to discolor teeth. They can also try to stop smoking or chewing tobacco, if applicable. If medications are the culprit, a doctor may be able to recommend alternatives if they are available.

Alternatives

There are two categories of dental whitening products: those available through a dentist and those for sale OTC.

Aside from whitening strips, other products available OTC include:

  • whitening toothpaste
  • whitening mouthwash
  • whitening gels
  • whitening trays
  • whitening powder

A person can also get whitening products or services through their dentist. Dentist-supplied whitening products are usually more concentrated. The options available directly from dentists include:

  • custom dental trays with bleaching gels, for either at-home or in-office application
  • light-activated bleaching, which is an in-office procedure
  • power bleaching

Some people prefer to use natural products to remove stains, but most reports of effectiveness are anecdotal at best. However, evidence does suggest that baking soda can help whiten teeth. A review concludes that brushing with baking soda-based toothpaste or powder is an effective and safe way to remove stains and whiten teeth.

Similar to the possible risks of carbamide and hydrogen peroxide, it is important to apply caution if using certain products that people sometimes recommend, such as fruit juices, vinegar, or scrubs. These may instead cause damage to the teeth or make staining even worse.

Learn more about natural ways to whiten teeth.

Summary

Teeth whitening products, such as whitening strips, are generally safe to use and can be a beneficial and cost effective way to remove stains from the teeth. However, it is important that people use them correctly to avoid adverse effects.

Some people may experience gum irritation and tooth sensitivity after using whitening products. In some cases, if people use them incorrectly, these products may damage the enamel on the teeth and result in long-term complications.

People considering the use of teeth whitening products may wish to discuss them with their dentist. It is also important to check user reviews, dentists&#; recommendations, and ingredient lists.

People should also set their expectations and understand that it may take time to achieve noticeable results. Although at-home bleaching products work, they may not produce results equal to those of in-office bleaching procedures.

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