Safety of Whitening Strips
- Teeth whitening strips are clear strips you affix to your teeth that bleach your teeth to make them look whiter. The strips contain both adhesive and bleach, so there is nothing for you to apply but the strip itself. The strips generally cover just your front six teeth, but coverage may vary by brand. Many brands have a set of strips for morning and evening.
- To make your teeth look whiter, whitening strips contain hydrogen peroxide, or bleach. Whitening strips that are deemed safe and effective by the American Dental Association have the ADA Accepted seal on the package. Because they are used without professional supervision, at-home whitening strips contain less whitening power and therefore take longer to show results than whitening at a dentist's office.
- The ADA reports that the most common side effects of using whitening strips are tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. Some people notice a reduction in side effects after a few days. If you do not, consider using the strips once a day rather than twice , or whitening your teeth every other day to reduce side effects. Crest recommends using a soft tooth brush during your whitening treatment.
- You will likely notice that your teeth are whiter within the first week of using whitening strips. If your teeth are severely discolored, it may take a few weeks to see dramatic results. Products with the ADA Accepted seal have proven to be effective.
- Always follow the instructions that come with the whitening strips. Misuse and overuse can lead to tooth and gum damage.
Whitening strips will only whiten real teeth; any false teeth or dental work you have will not whiten.
Prolonged pain in your teeth or gums while using whitening strips may indicate an underlying oral health condition.
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, consult a health professional before using whitening strips.
Whitening strips can damage a child's teeth. Talk to a pediatric dentist or family dentist before using them on a child.
