Do Teeth Whitening Strips Actually Work? - Gentle Dental Maine (2024)

Do Teeth Whitening Strips Actually Work? - Gentle Dental Maine (1)

Teeth whitening strips are a product designed for at-home use and are popular with people that want to whiten their teeth for cosmetic purposes. You can find whitening strips from a wide range of brands at almost every pharmacy and big box store. While they are extremely popular, many people still question whether or not they actually are effective at whitening teeth. The short answer is yes, they do in fact whiten your teeth over time, but whitening strips are not the best way to whiten your teeth! In this article, we’ll talk more about whitening strips and other things you can do to achieve the pearly-white smile that you’re aiming for!

How Do Whitening Strips Work?

The majority of whitening strips are made out of polyethylene, which is a type of thin, elastic plastic. These plastic strips are coated in peroxide, and when held in contact with the enamel on your teeth, the peroxide bleaches away the stains that are responsible for yellowing. There are two main categories of teeth stains: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic stains are stains on the outside of the teeth. These stains are typically caused by things like smoking, coffee, wine, and other environmental factors. Intrinsic stains are stains inside your teeth. These stains are caused by genetics, enamel erosion, antibiotics, and other hard-to-control factors. Most whitening strips are designed to target and bleach both extrinsic and intrinsic stains, but they do not always contain enough bleaching agents to produce effective results.

Other Teeth Whitening Options

There are a wide variety of teeth whitening options available to you, including toothpastes, mouthwashes, gels, pens, and much more. While these products may work for some people, the best way to see long-lasting, effective teeth whitening results is to visit a cosmetic dental specialist for professional teeth whitening services. Dentists can use a custom mixture of dental grade whitening products that will be placed in a custom fit mold that fits over your teeth. Professional teeth whitening typically lasts two to three years, much longer than the effects of do-it-yourself teeth whitening methods like whitening strips!

Contact Gentle Dental Maine!

If you have any questions about whitening strips or are thinking about having your teeth whitened professionally, please don’t hesitate to contact our team at Gentle Dental Maine! Our family dentists specialize in general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry services at each of our offices in South Portland, Biddeford, and Topsham. Give us a call at one of our offices, or become a patient today by filling out the new patient form on our website!

Do Teeth Whitening Strips Actually Work? - Gentle Dental Maine (2024)

FAQs

Do Teeth Whitening Strips Actually Work? - Gentle Dental Maine? ›

The short answer is yes, they do in fact whiten your teeth over time, but whitening strips are not the best way to whiten your teeth! In this article, we'll talk more about whitening strips and other things you can do to achieve the pearly-white smile that you're aiming for!

Do dentists recommend whitening strips? ›

Crest 3D Glamorous Whitestrips is approved by the American Dental Association, and are considered safe when used occasionally and in moderation. If used incorrectly or too frequently, this product may cause damage to your gums and teeth.

Do teeth whitening strips really work? ›

Strips can remove stains caused by drinking coffee or red wine and smoking. However, they may not remove stains occurring from health issues or reactions to medications. If you use the strips as directed, you should see results in about 7-10 days.

Do Crest White Strips work for sensitive teeth? ›

I started my whitening adventure, following the instructions to the letter. These strips are designed for sensitive teeth, which was a game-changer for me. No discomfort, no pain, just gradual and gentle teeth whitening. As the days went by, I began to see noticeable results.

What are the best whitening strips for really sensitive teeth? ›

The Crest Whitestrips for Sensitive Teeth work like the other strips in Crest's lineup: just wear them once a day for 30 minutes, and you should see full results in about two weeks—all without tooth pain.

Why do my teeth look more yellow after whitening strips? ›

Teeth can become temporarily dehydrated after using whitening strips. Your teeth may appear more yellow as a result of this dehydration because the enamel may become dry and lack moisture. Dehydrated enamel sometimes has a transparent appearance that makes the naturally yellowish dentin underneath visible.

What is the most effective way to whiten teeth? ›

Dentists can treat you with 6% hydrogen peroxide (the bleaching agent that whitens teeth) – this is nearly 6,000 times stronger than any over-the-counter tooth whitening product. Because of this, tooth whitening by a dentist will give you the very best results.

Do Crest strips permanently whiten teeth? ›

With that said, Crest 3D Whitestrips will whiten teeth for at least six to 12 months, so we recommend using Whitestrips twice per year to maintain a whiter smile.

How to get whiter teeth naturally? ›

Seven Ways to Naturally Whiten Teeth
  1. Eat Strawberries. One of the simplest ways to naturally whiten your teeth is just by eating strawberries. ...
  2. Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables. ...
  3. Brush After You Eat or Drink. ...
  4. Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
  5. Apply Coconut Oil. ...
  6. Brush Your Tongue. ...
  7. Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide.

Why do my teeth hurt so bad after whitening strips? ›

Many over-the-counter whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide as an active ingredient, which can cause sensitivity. In fact, some whitening products may even contain higher concentrations of peroxide, which can lead to greater sensitivity.

Should you brush your teeth after whitening strips? ›

After using whitening strips, it is natural to wonder if brushing your teeth immediately after will enhance the effects of the treatment. However, experts recommend waiting at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth.

Can whitening strips cause gum recession? ›

Can teeth whitening cause gum recession? Yes, it's possible for teeth whitening to cause gum recession due to the whitening agents in the gel (the peroxide) can irritate your gums. The peroxide acts in a similar way to bleach, and if it gets onto your gums, you'll feel a burning sensation.

Do dentists recommend whitestrips? ›

The ADA Council on Scientific Affairs Acceptance of Crest 3D White Whitestrips is based on its finding that the product is safe and has shown efficacy in whitening natural teeth when used according to the manufacturer's instructions. Features: Use once a day for 14 days.

Does baking soda whiten teeth? ›

Baking soda can be used with some water to remove the stains on the surface of the teeth. It can also be used with hydrogen peroxide to enhance its whitening effects. Baking soda can be used by individuals with regular toothpastes too. It is also used commercially in some teeth whitening products and toothpastes.

What do dentists use to whiten teeth? ›

Carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are commonly used in whitening interventions and can readily permeate dental hard tissues. Temporary tooth sensitivity and gingival inflammation are the most common adverse effects of vital tooth whitening.

Do dentists recommend whitening? ›

For long-lasting results, experts recommend a whitening treatment in your dentist's office, followed by monthly over-the-counter treatments for maintenance. But this may not be right for everyone.

What whitening strips don't damage your teeth? ›

Crest 3D White Whitestrips contains hydrogen peroxide, the same enamel-safe ingredient dentists use for tooth whitening. Extensive testing has shown the product to be safe when used as directed.

Are strips or pens better for teeth whitening? ›

Ultimately, it depends on your goals and budget. If you're looking for fast results with precision whitening, a tooth whitening pen might be the way to go. However, if you want an easy-to-use solution that won't break the bank and still offers decent results, then teeth whitening strips may be a better choice for you.

Are strips or gel better for teeth whitening? ›

Overall, the gel is a better option if you're looking for long-term results. It may not be as convenient or inexpensive as the whitening strips but it will brighten your smile.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Nicola Considine CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 5776

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (49 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nicola Considine CPA

Birthday: 1993-02-26

Address: 3809 Clinton Inlet, East Aleisha, UT 46318-2392

Phone: +2681424145499

Job: Government Technician

Hobby: Calligraphy, Lego building, Worldbuilding, Shooting, Bird watching, Shopping, Cooking

Introduction: My name is Nicola Considine CPA, I am a determined, witty, powerful, brainy, open, smiling, proud person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.