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.
Do Whitening Strips Damage Enamel? Yes, whitening strips do damage enamel. Your teeth have three layers — enamel, dentin and connective tissue.
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.
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.
“You can use one pack right after another.” – Meaning two boxes of strips (as in a “twin pack” of WhiteStrips® as they are sometimes sold). The same paragraph then states that they “recommend using Whitestrips twice per year.”
It's safe to brush and floss your teeth after using whitening strips. It won't reduce the whitening effects of the treatment. Manufacturers recommend doing so gently. This will help you avoid gum irritation and discomfort.
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.
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.
Since tooth enamel can't regrow spontaneously, the underlying dentin can be exposed, with results ranging from hypersensitivity to cavities or even gum disease. The lozenge, on the other hand, strengthens, rebuilds, and protects teeth. While fluoride can also fortify tooth enamel, it does not actively rebuild it.
Eat More Enamel-Strengthening Foods
High-calcium foods both neutralize the acid that harms enamel and can help add minerals back into tooth surfaces. As the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests, dairy products are a great calcium source, but many vegetables also are calcium-rich.
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.
The whitening solution used by dental professionals has a higher concentration of bleaching ingredients. So, while white strips will help remove surface stains and make your teeth somewhat whiter, they're just not as effective as having your teeth professionally whitened at your dentist's office.
As the enamel continues to erode, your teeth might turn a gray or yellowish color. If your teeth change shape, it's a good indicator that you have enamel damage. Your teeth may begin to appear rounded, develop ridges, and often the gaps between teeth will become more substantial.
Stop using the trays and gel when you are happy with the colour. Remember that the natural colour of teeth is never pure white. The whitening gel will lighten your teeth, but not necessarily remove all internal stains; in these circumstances the teeth may never achieve a harmonious colour.
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.
Their Permanent Teeth Are Starting to Come in
If your child is about 6-7 years old and their permanent teeth have started to erupt, you may notice that their permanent teeth look quite a bit more yellow than their baby teeth.
To be fair, neither whitening strips nor professional whitening treatments are meant to be permanent. Both methods need to be repeated for the same white shade to be maintained. On average, the white shade achieved with whitening strips lasts for about six months.
Consuming Certain Foods and Drinks
“Certain foods that are high in tannins, such as red wine, are potential causes of yellow teeth,” notes Crest. Other teeth-staining foods include coffee, citrus fruits and juices, soft drinks, teas, berries, tomato-based sauces, curry, balsamic vinegar, and soy sauce.
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.
Whitening products such as Crest Whitestrips use Advanced Seal technology to keep the strips in place so you can continue your regular activities such as showering, drinking water, or running errands.
Try drying the surface of your teeth with a napkin or towel before applying the strips. This will help increase the whitening effect. You can also use a cheek retractor to spread your lips and control the flow of saliva during the whitening treatment. Less moisture in your mouth will give you a better result.
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.