If you’re looking to brighten your smile without spending a lot of money or time at the dentist, teeth whitening strips might be an attractive option. However, with so many products on the market claiming to make your smile brighter and whiter in just minutes, it can be hard to decide which ones do what they promise. In this blog post, we’ll take an in-depth look into teeth whitening strips – from how they work and what results you should expect – to help you answer the question ‘do teeth whitening strips work’ for achieving a brighter smile.
What are teeth whitening strips?
Teeth whitening strips are thin, flexible pieces of plastic coated with hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. They come in different sizes and shapes that can fit any mouth size. The strips are designed to stay on your teeth for a certain amount of time and when they’re removed, the active ingredient is supposed to have lightened the shade of your teeth.
How do whitening strips work?
When you apply a teeth whitening strip, it releases hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide onto your enamel – these substances penetrate into the deeper layers of your tooth’s structure and break up molecules that are responsible for giving them their yellowish color. The whitening strip then works to lift away the discolored molecules and over time, this helps restore your teeth to their original shade.
How effective are whitening strips?
Teeth whitening strips are effective at lightening the color of your teeth by up to four shades. However, results may vary from person to person as everyone’s teeth are different. Additionally, the degree to which your teeth whiten will depend on how long you wear the strips and the degree of discoloration that was present before you used them.
Are there any risks with using whitening strips?
When used correctly, teeth whitening strips are generally safe and effective. However, it’s important to remember that any whitening product can cause sensitivity or tooth discomfort if used too often or left on for too long. Additionally, whitening strips may not be suitable for people with certain dental conditions such as gum disease, cavities, and enamel erosion. Therefore, it’s important to speak to your dentist before using whitening strips to make sure it’s the right choice for you.
Are teeth whitening strips just as good as professional teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening strips are not as strong as professional whitening, so they may not be able to lighten your teeth by more than a few shades. Additionally, they will only work on natural teeth and won’t be able to make dentures or fillings any whiter. Therefore, if you’re looking for dramatic results or want to whiten a dental prosthetic such as a crown, then professional teeth whitening may be the better option for you.
The dentist can use stronger whitening agents and can therefore achieve more dramatic results than what you’d be able to get with a teeth whitening strip. Plus, the dentist will be able to monitor the process to make sure your teeth don’t become overly sensitive or damaged in any way.
Conclusion
Overall, teeth whitening strips are a convenient and cost-effective way to enhance your smile without having to visit the dentist. However, teeth whitening strips are not nearly as effective as professional teeth whitening that happens at the dentist. Triangle Dentistry is the go-to choice for brighter, whiter smiles in Raleigh, NC. To find out more about our professional teeth whitening services, schedule a free consultation today!