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Every year, millions of people around the world choose many cosmetic dentistry treatments. Among them, the teeth whitening treatment is the most popular. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford teeth whitening, which is performed in a professional office. Therefore, many people choose to whiten their teeth using whitening strips. Read how whitening strips work, what are their disadvantages and risks.
Teeth whitening strips – action
Whitening strips, or teeth whitening strips, are made of flexible plastic coated with a thin layer of whitening gel, which usually contains hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. When you apply the strips to your teeth, the gel is pressed against the surface and held in place, allowing it to penetrate the tooth and begin brightening.
The strips should be applied daily for two to three weeks. The results are expected to last for about 4 months if used correctly according to the instructions included with the strips package.
The whitening strips work more or less like (attention!) Bleach. The basic principle of whitening strips is similar to that used for clothes and hair. Hydrogen peroxide penetrates the tooth surface and brightens the tooth surface.
The whitening strips are quite easy to use. One of the main reasons for the popularity of whitening strips is their ease of use.
While this seems at first sight the ideal, inexpensive way to get a whiter smile, it does come with some significant problems. These are not insurmountable difficulties, but you should know about them if you want to use the whitening strips safely and effectively.
Also read: Dead teeth whitening. How do I lighten my root canal teeth?
Teeth whitening strips – indications
Who wouldn’t like to have a snow-white smile like the stars on the screen? Many of us hope that years of discoloration caused by poor habits and poor oral hygiene can somehow magically disappear overnight. Teeth whitening strips give them this hope.
There are many reasons why teeth lose their white color and become discolored, yellow, or stained. One of the most common reasons is tobacco use / smoking. In many countries, tobacco is used in various forms. Smoking is known to discolor your teeth due to its nicotine content.
- Teeth whitening and smoking. Does whitening make sense for a smoker?
Another common substance is the dye in sugary drinks, which will discolor your teeth in the long run. Sometimes our teeth lose their bright white color as we age, which is why they slowly turn yellowish. Physical trauma also causes tooth discoloration. In some cases, medications cause the teeth to lose color and appear dull and yellow.
The use of whitening strips in the above cases may be effective, but unfortunately not always. Even though it is a cheap way to whiten yellow or discolored teeth, in most cases whitening your teeth at the dentist’s office may be a more appropriate option. Also remember that it is better to consult a dentist before buying strips.
Read also: Teeth whitening and fillings. Is it possible to whiten the fillings?
Teeth whitening strips – advantages
In general, whitening strips do not have serious side effects and are relatively safe for the user. However, before using them, you should always consult this intention with a dentist who will assess the condition of the teeth and determine whether there are any contraindications to this method of brightening the teeth.
Advantages of using whitening strips:
- low price,
- easy availability – whitening strips can be purchased at any pharmacy, drugstore or online stores,
- the possibility of whitening teeth at home,
- quite spectacular whitening effects, even by 2-3 tones,
- relatively lasting effect with a low budget.
See: Whitening and tooth sensitivity – yes or no?
Teeth whitening strips – disadvantages
In addition to the apparent ease of use, tooth whitening strips actually have many disadvantages. Before deciding to use teeth whitening strips, it is important that everyone is aware of the risks they pose.
Disadvantages of whitening strips – the risk of uneven whitening
However careful you place the whitening strips on your teeth, the fact is that the strip is a two-dimensional surface applied to a three-dimensional tooth. There will always be places where the belt will not be fully in contact with the tooth. With a bit of luck and careful application, you will not leave the same stains exposed every time, but during whitening, areas of the teeth that are not properly covered will not be so bleached. At best, this will result in uneven results, but at worst, you may have ugly yellow edges on your teeth that will be very visible.
Disadvantages of whitening strips – problems with the gums
The whitening agent found in tooth whitening strips, while not as strong as those used by dentists, is still an aggressive chemical that can damage soft gum tissue. Contact of the whitening agent with your gums should be avoided if possible, although this is easier said than done. Consider using scissors to trim the strip to better suit your bite, although the balance between fully covering your teeth and keeping the gel away from your gums is hard to come by every time.
To support the condition of gums and teeth and to improve their color, use Perlax Bleaching Liquid for Discoloration.
Disadvantages of whitening strips – tooth sensitivity and possible damage
Despite the fact that the whitening strips are relatively safe, overusing them can cause hypersensitivity and even permanent damage to the teeth. If the enamel layer is eroded by over-application of the whitening agent, not only will you experience pain, but also be exposed to tooth decay and other problems that, in the worst case scenario, can result in tooth loss.
You can always use tooth whitening toothpastes. We recommend ApaCare Zahncreme Remineralizing Toothpaste with Hydroxyapatite, available at an attractive price on the Medonet Market.
Teeth whitening strips – price
Depending on the manufacturer, distributor or place of purchase, the prices of whitening strips may vary and range from 60 to 200 PLN per treatment. The price is also influenced by the size of the whitening package – we have a single package available, consisting of a 2-week treatment, the price of which is around PLN 60-80.
It is also possible to purchase larger and more expensive sets; A triple package, i.e. 3 sets of teeth whitening strips, costs about PLN 120-150, or a package of 5 treatments – price from 180 to nearly PLN 300. Before buying, it is worth getting acquainted with the price list of whitening strips, because quite often you can find favorable promotional offers.
If you want to whiten your teeth, you can also use Georganics Mineral Toothpaste with Activated Carbon, which you can buy on Medonet Market.
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