The Truth behind Whitening Strips
Over the past few years, whitening strips have become the best treatment for teeth whitening. The world spends millions of dollars a year on them. Although several brands promise longevity, performance, and speed, they’re all made of relatively similar stuff. We will talk about it in the last part of this article. However, we must first understand the causes of tooth discoloration. This is important when considering whether you should have teeth whitening strips addressed.
Causes of teeth discoloration
Discoloration of teeth is not respectable to individuals and does not happen overnight. Enamel can turn brown or yellow due to various factors (biological and synthetic). Some of the reasons why the teeth lose their original shine are;
Age
As you age, the outer layer of your teeth, the enamel, starts to wear down. This reveals the yellowing of the dentin, the soft layer of the tooth beneath the enamel.
Foods and Drinks
Some foods contain extremely strong color pigments. When eaten, these pigments attach to your enamel and cause stains. Examples are fruit, vegetables, coffee, wine, etc.
Smoking
Smokers aren’t the only ones responsible for dying at a young age. Tobacco is made up of two particularly powerful chemicals – nicotine and tar. Nicotine is colorless but turns yellow when it mixes with oxygen during smoking. On the other hand, tar is naturally black and doesn’t come off easily.
Medications
Children under the age of eight may have teeth that turn black from antibiotic exposure. And sometimes, this discoloration is permanent. Blood pressure medications and chemotherapy are other drugs that can darken teeth.
Diseases
Discoloration of enamel and dentin is caused by many diseases. Some of them are metabolic, liver, celiac disease, rickets, and even infection in pregnant women.
Poor dental hygiene
Irregular brushing, flossing, and flossing can discolor teeth over time. This is because the stains build up over time and become difficult to clean.
How Do Whitening Strips Work?
Most of them are made of polyethylene which is flexible and light. The strips contain a gel that contains active ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. When any of these bleaching agents touch the teeth, they break the stains into small bits and remove the color.
However, whitening strips have their drawbacks as well. They can lighten your teeth just a few shades because of the minimal amount of active ingredients. Also, they cannot correct extremely brown or yellow teeth. This is why professional whitening is always better than strips. Besides being ten times more effective, a visit to the dentist will reveal other underlying dental problems.
Difference Between Professional Teeth Whitening and Whitening Strips
Both professional teeth whitening and whitening strips are popularly accepted dental treatments. However, it boils down to the results you’re looking to get. Some differences between both are;
Effectiveness
All teeth whitening treatments use bleaching agents. However, what sets them apart is the concentration of bleach. Whitening strips contain a very low concentration of hydrogen peroxide to protect your teeth from damage. Therefore, they may not give you the glowing results you want. With professional teeth whitening, the bleaching agents are administered by the dentist. This means they can give you more noticeable results by using the correct ratio.
Lifespan
The glowing strips wear off within a week. Hence, to maintain your desired whiteness, you may need to use them weekly or at other frequent intervals as you wish. Professional teeth whitening gives you long-lasting results. This is because the treatment penetrates deeper into your tooth. And if you have a good dental care routine, the results can last up to six months.
Safety
Whitening your teeth at home with whitening strips or other whitening kits can transfer bleaching agents to your gums. However, not when you are in safe hands. During professional tooth whitening, the dentist carefully covers your gums. It protects your gums from pain, sensitivity, or damage you may have experienced through self-care.
Time
With professional whitening, it only takes a two-hour one-time visit to make your teeth whiter. This is very different from whitening strips which may require you to apply for an average of two hours over a few days to get a close result.
Conclusion
In the end, getting your teeth whitened by a professional is always better than doing it yourself. Visiting a dentist can help you discover the root cause of your tooth discoloration and possible solutions. Your gums will be safe, and you’ll get more amazing results than you would from a glitter strip. If you are ready to get your million-dollar smile, contact a trusted professional to learn more about the best way to whiten your smile!
The Truth behind Whitening Strips
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