First, gently remove the backing of the teeth whitening strip with your fingers. There are two strips – one designed for the top teeth and one designed for the bottom teeth. Use the longer strip for your top teeth and the shorter strip for your bottom teeth.
The strips provided for your upper and lower teeth are designed to fit the front teeth only. Using Crest 3D White Whitestrips on the back teeth may result in the strips coming loose and eventually falling off during the wear period.
To apply, simply remove the teeth whitening strip from its liner and place the gel side to your teeth, aligned with your gum line. Press against your teeth for best contact and fold the remainder of the strip behind your teeth.
Also, if you have poor oral health or an underlying medical condition that affects the teeth, the teeth whitening procedure may make the teeth yellow. This is because the dentin has a yellowish hue under the enamel. So, when the enamel thins, your teeth become translucent and may look yellow.
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.
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.
Whitening strips can be an effective way of improving the appearance of stained or yellow teeth, but the possible problems above should give you pause for thought before deciding to start using them.
Crest Whitestrips Supreme has 100mg of gel with 14% hydrogen peroxide = 14mg of hydrogen peroxide per upper strip. Crest Whitestrips Professional has 200mg of gel with 6.5% hydrogen peroxide per upper strip. Crest Whitestrips Supreme is the most effective of the Crest Whitening Strips.
The whitening strip that you wear on your bottom teeth doesn't usually stay on long enough to allow the whitening solution to work. The bottom strip won't stay on because the tongue keeps dislodging it. Whitening your teeth using the products sold by a dentist is the most predictible way to whitening your teeth.
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.
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). This will allow the pores in your teeth to open, thereby making them more receptive to the whitening agent in the whitening strips.
5. Which strip is for the top and which is for the bottom? The longer strip is for your top teeth and the shorter strip is for your bottom teeth.
If you opt for an over-the-counter option, such as whitening gels or strips, they will not be able to cover the entirety of your tooth and can lead to patchy results. Ensure that you follow your dentist's instructions before, during, and after your teeth whitening procedure.
For about two to six weeks, you can use dentist-recommended whitening toothpaste and brush twice a day. You can use a certified whitening mouthwash which usually takes about three months to produce visible results. Whitening strips are the most compelling in-house treatments that last up to six months.
The best way to use them is either during the day or before bedtime. If you use them before breakfast your teeth may get stained as the enamel has micro porosities after using whitening strips and also sensitivity may occur.
If your teeth have biofilm or plaque buildup, this can prevent the bleaching agent from reaching the target stains. Before considering any teeth whitening treatment, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment for a dental cleaning. These cleanings remove all signs of biofilm and plaque on the surface of your teeth.
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.
Tooth enamel does not grow back, but it can be restored to some degree by remineralization. Using mineralized toothpaste and mouthwash can strengthen your remaining enamel as the minerals will be drawn to the weak spots in your teeth and bond with the surface.
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.
HOW DO I REMOVE EXCESS GEL LEFT ON MY TEETH AFTER USING MY WHITESTRIPS? Since the left over gel isn't harmful, you can do any of the following: Rinse your mouth with water. Wipe the gel off your teeth.
Can I Brush My Teeth Immediately After Using Whitestrips? Yes, after using Whitestrips, you can brush gently.
Typically it's recommended to wait at least one hour before eating. You could even go so far as to following the same post-op instructions for procedures such as an in-office one hour whitening and eat only clear/white foods/liquids for 24 hours to prevent any other possible staining.
Potential Damage and Tooth Sensitivity
To be on the safer side, use whitening strips in moderation, as overuse will not only cause tooth sensitivity over time, but it will also permanently damage your tooth's enamel and the surface below.