3 Dangers Of Whitening Strips

Even if you practice excellent oral hygiene, there may come a day when you look at your smile and realize it isn’t as white as it used to be! There are many reasons teeth become discoloured over time. Teeth can be stained by food, drink and other factors such as smoking, or by previous dental procedures. It’s inevitable that over time, some discolouration will occur.

Fortunately, there are many options to get a whiter, brighter smile. The safest and most effective whitening procedures are performed in the dentist’s chair. However, there are now many over-the-counter options for at-home teeth whitening. Whitening strips are one of the most popular options, as they’re easy to apply at home. These strips are usually made of clear plastic which is coated in peroxide. Peroxide is a bleaching agent, which removes stains from your teeth.

Whitening strips seem temptingly easy and are very cheap, but they are not without their drawbacks. Here are some things to be considered.

They Can Irritate Your Gums or cause tooth sensitivity
The chemicals that bleach your teeth can for some people irritate your gums.

Following Directions
Many people don’t follow the directions for their whitening strips properly. Probably the largest drawback is the over the counter strips do not cover all the teeth and do not cover them well.

While whitening strips are an easier and inexpensive option for teeth whitening, you should visit your dentist for the best and safest results! If you do use whitening strips at home, be sure to ask your dentist for advice on whether they are a good idea, and to follow the instructions carefully!