Are Teeth Whitening Strips Bad For You
If you have always taken pride in your teeth, you may want a way to preserve their whiteness. There is always the option of visiting a dental practice and undergoing a professional teeth whitening procedure. However, it may be less expensive to do the whitening at home.
DIY teeth whitening kits have gained in popularity over the years. Boston University indicates that non-prescription, over-the-counter treatment options make up a 1.4 billion dollar industry in the US alone! And people have been especially keen on trying the new teeth whitening strips you see advertised everywhere from TV to billboards with a bright smile. There's so many options to choose from, and you can buy both types without a prescription from a dentist. You can buy them online, or off the shelf from your local pharmacy or beauty store.
Who doesn't want to enjoy the potential benefits of whiter teeth?
After all, the days of having yellow teeth stained with tobacco, wine and coffee are long gone. In fact, having teeth that don't gleam often makes a bad impression, especially in today's world.
It doesn't matter if you're getting ready for a special event, going for that big job interview, or simply going to a place with some friends where photos will undoubtedly be taken,
the only way to look your best is to have white, pristine looking teeth.
Strips That Whiten Teeth at Home
This causes a lot of people to turn to teeth whitening strips as a means of getting their teeth into shape, so to speak. However, there is a major problem with the overwhelming majority of teeth whitening strips. They can do a real number on the health of one’s teeth. That's because most of them use potentially dangerous chemicals to whiten a stained tooth and get rid of stains.
Furthermore,
they're unlikely to get rid of the stains at their deepest level. Instead, it's almost like white washing the exterior of a tooth in order to give it the appearance of cleanliness, all the while doing damage to the enamel and potentially causing pain in the process.
How They Work
Some teeth-whitening products contain bleach. When you put them in, they work to restore teeth to their natural color. Most products consist of polyethylene, a thin type of plastic, that is easily handled and placed on your tooth. The plastic is coated with peroxide. To get the desired effect, apply the plastic strips according to the directions. This will put the hydrogen peroxide in direct contact with the enamel, which will in turn remove stains and discoloration from the surface.
The Advantages of Using Them at Home
Most people purchase whitening strips because they are the least expensive way to go. There is nothing dodgy or underhanded about this. Strips are so inexpensive because they are made of materials that don’t cost very much. Often, you'll see advertisements for products similar to Crest Whitestrips, which have been on the market since 2001, in an advertisement highlighting the low cost and convenience of using these products.
People also use these items because they are easy to store and to use. In most cases, you will find two sets of strips—one for your upper teeth and the other for your lowers. The kit will provide instructions on how to apply the item in a safe manner.
Then there is the fast result. Your teeth will begin to look whiter within a few days of using the strips.
Find Out More Information About Ghost White
When to Apply
You should take care to brush before using whitening strips. Otherwise bacteria will get stuck between your teeth and the strips. This will make it harder for the strips to do their work and will also make it harder for you to remove plaque when you brush later on.
You should continue brushing twice a day while using these products. This will help to ensure you maintain your overall dental health as you work to whiten them.
Some Potential Dangers from Chlorine Dioxide
Most teeth whitening strips are safe to use. It is important to be careful and cautious in your purchase though. Know the things that cause Safety risks! Don't buy a single teeth whitening item that contains high levels of the bleaching agent chlorine dioxide. It may destroy the enamel or dentin layer with repeated contact. Chlorine dioxide is an acid used to disinfect swimming pools, which makes many argue that it's an inappropriate ingredient to be used for personal dental care.
To protect yourself even more, you should always read the instructions on the kit and follow the directions on the package. You may be tempted to use more whitening strips than called for by the instructions. Do not do this, as it can be harmful to your tooth enamel, as WebMD noted. If your teeth or gums become irritated after a few days, you should discontinue using it and consult with your dentist for more information. Increased sensitivity could be a sign of a problem.
The Problem With These Strips
For some individuals,
the damage that may be caused with teeth whitening strips is apparent almost immediately. The teeth become very sensitive and something as simple as drinking a hot beverage or eating ice cream becomes excruciatingly painful.
- For others, the pain may not be there right away.
- Nevertheless, the damage that might be caused is the same.
- Eventually, whitening teeth in this manner can cause a whole host of problems.
- Fortunately, there are other ways to get your teeth looking their best that don't cause damage or pain.
The Ghost White Method with Hydrogen Peroxide
One of those professional methods is
Ghost White
. It's not chemical-based as you'd normally think of it and as such, you don't use strips in order to get your teeth whiter. Instead, you use a specially-made device that's based around using light to get rid of the stains and whiten your teeth. It's the same type of light that's often used in professional medical or dental offices to achieve the same goal with an enamel-safe hydrogen peroxide gel.
Think of it as wearing a temporary prosthetic for your teeth,
one that gets them looking their best in short order. It only takes a few minutes a day and you can choose between a system that plugs into the wall or one that's completely wireless. It all depends on your needs.
One of the reasons that so many people choose strips to whiten their teeth is because it is typically thought of as a relatively easy way to improve one's appearance. It doesn't take a lot of time, and they can be put onto the teeth while the individual in question watches a movie or vacuums the house.
The strips are then removed and that individual goes on about their business, at least until their tooth starts causing them so much pain that they have to go to the dentist. The Ghost White system is capable of doing the exact same thing, only does it faster and without the potential damage or the associated pain.
Therefore, it's a good fit for anyone that routinely uses strips to whiten their teeth, especially if that individual is concerned about maintaining the long-term health of their teeth while simultaneously looking their best.
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