Whitening strips are convenient and effective at reducing the visibility of dark spots on your teeth. However, you should use them with caution and not as a regular part of your beauty routine. Overuse can potentially cause your gums to recede, exposing roots and leaving you susceptible to infection. Our teeth have a natural pigment called dentin, which shows through the enamel coating. When we age or take measures to avoid exposure to the sun, our dentin appears darker than normal. This is what causes yellowing of teeth and conditions such as smoker’s melanosis and lividity in elderly adults. Any whitening product needs to be used sparingly, especially if you desire long-lasting results. Using the strips more than once a week could lead to adverse effects like sensitivity, thinning gums, or exposed root structure. If used correctly, they can reduce discoloration to help keep your smile bright for up to six months after ceasing usage
How Often Should I Use Whitening Strips?
Use the strips as a preventative measure.
Before you begin to use whitening strips, you can try using them as a preventative measure. After six months or so, it is recommended that you use them regularly to keep your smile bright. This will help ensure that there are no adverse effects from long-term usage. You can also try using the strips in between professional teeth whitening treatments to avoid the risks of sensitivity and other adverse effects of overuse.
Use the strips with caution and only as needed.
When using a whitening product, it is important to be extremely cautious about how often you use it in order to avoid problems like sensitivity and dark spots on your teeth. You need to be especially careful when using these products because they contain peroxide, which can damage tooth enamel if used repeatedly without protection or proper care. It is best to use these products as a preventative measure and only when necessary; this way you will not overdo it and risk damaging your teeth or gums.
Follow instructions carefully for optimal results.
The instructions on the packaging are very important when using whitening strips because they provide detailed information on how often and how much of each ingredient should be used in order to achieve optimal results (and avoid adverse effects). Follow these instructions exactly for maximum results! For example, if one packet states that two packets are required for optimal results, then this is what you should do: Apply one packet at night before bedtime and leave the other packet in the packet until bedtime. This will ensure that your teeth are properly exposed to the ingredients while they are still in their most effective form.
Use the strips as directed by your dentist or professional teeth whitening technician.
If you have recently had a procedure done by a professional teeth whitening technician, then it is best to follow his or her instructions for the proper use of these strips. Ask if there are any special instructions that you need to follow for optimal results! You may want to ask about which products should be used and when, as well as how often should these products be used in order to achieve optimal results (and avoid adverse effects). For example, many professionals recommend using whitening strips on an every-other-day basis instead of daily use because this can help reduce sensitivity from overuse and reduce potential damage from overuse of peroxide-based products like whitening strips.
Avoid overuse of peroxide-based products like whitening strips.
If you do not follow directions exactly as stated above, then you could end up with overuse of peroxide-based products like whitening strips (which can cause sensitivity and other adverse effects). You may also want to ask your dentist or professional teeth whitening technician about the proper use of these strips, including how often and how much product should be used in order to achieve optimal results (and avoid adverse effects). In addition, it is best to avoid the overuse of peroxide-based products like whitening strips unless directed by a professional!
How To Whiten Your Teeth With Strips
Apply one packet of whitening strips to your teeth before bedtime.
If you have recently had a procedure done by a professional teeth whitening technician, then it is best to follow his or her instructions for the proper use of these strips. Ask if there are any special instructions that you need to follow for optimal results! You may want to ask about which products should be used and when, as well as how often should these products be used in order to achieve optimal results (and avoid adverse effects). For example, many professionals recommend using whitening strips on an every-other-day basis instead of daily use because this can help reduce sensitivity from overuse and reduce potential damage from overuse of peroxide-based products like whitening strips.
Apply the second packet in the morning after brushing your teeth with regular toothpaste.
If you have recently had a procedure done by a professional teeth whitening technician, then it is best to follow his or her instructions for the proper use of these strips. Ask if there are any special instructions that you need to follow for optimal results! You may want to ask about which products should be used and when, as well as how often should these products be used in order to achieve optimal results (and avoid adverse effects). For example, many professionals recommend using whitening strips on an every-other-day basis instead of daily use because this can help reduce sensitivity from overuse and reduce potential damage from overuse of peroxide-based products like whitening strips.
Brush your teeth with regular toothpaste and floss, then rinse.
If you have recently had a procedure done by a professional teeth whitening technician, then it is best to follow his or her instructions for the proper use of these strips. Ask if there are any special instructions that you need to follow for optimal results! You may want to ask about which products should be used and when, as well as how often should these products be used in order to achieve optimal results (and avoid adverse effects). For example, many professionals recommend using whitening strips on an every-other-day basis instead of daily use because this can help reduce sensitivity from overuse and reduce potential damage from overuse of peroxide-based products like whitening strips.
Apply the third packet in the evening after brushing your teeth with regular toothpaste, and before dinner.
If you have recently had a procedure done by a professional teeth whitening technician, then it is best to follow his or her instructions for the proper use of these strips. Ask if there are any special instructions that you need to follow for optimal results! You may want to ask about which products should be used and when, as well as how often should these products be used in order to achieve optimal results (and avoid adverse effects). For example, many professionals recommend using whitening strips on an every-other-day basis instead of daily use because this can help reduce sensitivity from overuse and reduce potential damage from overuse of peroxide-based products like whitening strips.
Apply the fourth packet that night after brushing your teeth with regular toothpaste, and before dinner.
If you have recently had a procedure done by a professional teeth whitening technician, then it is best to follow his or her instructions for the proper use of these strips. Ask if there are any special instructions that you need to follow for optimal results! You may want to ask about which products should be used and when, as well as how often should these products be used in order to achieve optimal results (and avoid adverse effects). For example, many professionals recommend using whitening strips on an every-other-day basis instead of daily use because this can help reduce sensitivity from overuse and reduce potential damage from overuse of peroxide-based products like whitening strips.
Which Whitening Strips Are Best?
- The strips that are made from calcium carbonate (such as the ones from Colgate) or the ones that are made from sodium bicarbonate (such as the ones from Crest Whitestrips) can be used for both home and professional use.
- The strips that are made from a combination of calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate (such as the ones from Crest Pro-Health, Colgate Professional-Care, and Oral-B Professional Care Advanced) can be used for both home and professional use.
- The whitening strips made with hydrogen peroxide alone cannot be used for both home and professional use because they contain hydrogen peroxide alone which is the ingredient that can stain the skin if it is not rinsed off quickly enough after application.
- The whitening strips made with a combination of hydrogen peroxide and phosphoric acid cannot be used for both home and professional use because they contain an acidic ingredient that can stain the skin if it is not rinsed off quickly enough after application.
- The whitening strips made with a combination of hydrogen peroxide, phosphoric acid, and carbamide peroxide cannot be used for both home and professional use because they contain an acidic ingredient that can stain the skin if it is not rinsed off quickly enough after application.
Conclusion
Teeth-whitening strips are convenient, effective, and affordable. They can be used at home without assistance from a dentist or other professional. However, you should use them with caution, as overuse can potentially cause your gums to recede, exposing roots and leaving you susceptible to infection. Also, do not use the strips for longer than the recommended time. Finally, you should always rinse your mouth with a fluoride mouthwash after using the strips to prevent irritation and damage to your gums.