Teeth whitening strips use peroxide to remove stains. So what happens is that the peroxide temporarily increases your enamel's porosity. This allows the peroxide to reach the discolored molecules in your teeth. However, it can be a disadvantage for some people since it creates an avenue for your teeth to be stained.
The PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) and carbomer used in Crest Whitestrips (for sticking to the teeth) are generally fairly safe and non-toxic. However, overuse of these products can irritate the gums and damage enamel.
Using teeth whitening strips too often or for too long can make the teeth porous and cause the surface enamel to break down. The bleaching agent in whitening strips can cause stress of the tooth surface and surrounding gum tissue.
Poor oral hygiene – poor oral hygiene practices cause yellowing of your teeth; however, discoloration or yellowing may occur despite regular teeth cleaning. Smoking – this is one of the leading causes of the yellowing of teeth.
Teeth whitening strips should be applied to the teeth on a daily basis. Do not skip a day! Continue to apply your teeth whitening strips across the entire period of time noted in the instructions. In most cases, teeth whitening strips are meant to be applied every day for at least two full weeks.
Never use teeth whitening strips before brushing your teeth, but do not use toothpaste at this time. Before you apply white strips, it is critical that you brush your teeth with a wet toothbrush (without fluoridated toothpaste, or without toothpaste at all).
Even with daily brushing, certain foods and drinks can cause stained teeth. For example, frequently drinking coffee, tea and wine can all lead to yellow teeth. In addition, even regular brushing cannot always combat yellow teeth caused by smoking cigarettes.
In most cases, the common cause for tooth discolouration is external staining as a result of drinking coffee, tea, or wine, or from smoking and other tobacco use.
Dental Plaque and Tartar can Turn Your Teeth Yellow at the Gum Line. Dental plaque is a soft and sticky film that regularly builds up on your teeth. Sometimes a thin layer of plaque appears clear, but turns yellow as it accumulates. Plaque develops when bacteria in the mouth combine with food byproducts and proteins.
Leaving them on for too long can cause tooth sensitivity, gum irritation, and tooth damage.
Translucent appearance: Applying peroxide-based whitening products too much can leave your teeth with a translucent appearance, rather than a white one. This can cause them to appear discolored, especially around the edges, which is irreversible.
It is safe to brush your teeth and floss after using the whitening strips. This does not reduce the whitening effects of the treatment. Manufacturers recommend doing this carefully. This will help you avoid irritation and gum discomfort.
Yes, whitening strips do damage enamel. Your teeth have three layers — enamel, dentin and connective tissue. The dentin layer has a high protein level, including several collagen proteins. Dentin is critical to supporting and strengthening your enamel.
How often teeth whitening treatments are recommended by dentists. Professional teeth whitening performed in the dentist's office is recommended once every year to every 18 months, depending on how long the results last. At-home kits can be used as often as once every four to six months.
The ADA Council on Scientific Affairs Acceptance of Crest 3D White Whitestrips is based on its finding that the product is safe and has shown efficacy in whitening natural teeth when used according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Plaque buildup can also accumulate, leaving teeth dirty and yellow. Brushing, flossing and regular dentist visits can usually remove yellow plaque buildup, but over time without regular care, plaque can actually permanently stain your teeth.
Teeth whitening treatment is a big step towards a more confident, happier you, and it's never too late to bring out those pearly whites!
1. Their Permanent Teeth Are Starting to Erupt. If your child is old enough to start getting their permanent teeth (usually age 6-7), you may notice that these teeth look a bit more yellow compared to their baby teeth.
If your teeth and gums aren't in the best shape or if you've had a lot of previous dental work, both issues can affect your results with traditional teeth whitening treatments. You won't be able to whiten either porcelain crowns or most commonly used dental bonding materials.
Porcelain Veneers
These are very popular amongst celebrities because of their incredible results. Veneers are thin, strong shells that are custom-made from dental porcelain to cover the front surface of your teeth. They can fix small cracks, chips, gaps, and discoloration all at once.
A good rule of thumb when determining how white your teeth should be is to look at the whites of your eyes. Whether whitening at home or undergoing treatment by a professional dentist, you should be aiming for a shade of white similar to that of your eyes.
As an example, teeth whitening strips typically require two or three weeks to work. People will need to apply these strips for upwards of two hours per day. Opt for teeth whitening toothpaste and it will likely take two to six weeks for any results to show.
The strips are applied to upper and lower teeth, once a day, for up to 30 minutes. Depending on the specific Crest 3D White Whitestrips product chosen, strips should be applied daily for anywhere from 10 to 20 consecutive days.
We recommend that with any form of whitening that teeth are brushed beforehand. This is to ensure that any plaque (this sticky surface layer on your teeth) is removed and that any whitening agent present in the strips or gel gets the closest contact with the teeth.