Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN
A beautiful white smile is a common goal for many people. Each year thousands of dollars get spent on the newest toothpaste, toothbrush, or whitening kits by those seeking a luminous smile. One standard product on the market is teeth whitening strips. Although there is controversy on their actual effectiveness compared to professional teeth whitening treatments, the experienced teeth whitening dentists in Greeneville at Tusculum Dental Care explain in more detail the truth about whitening strips and how they work.
What are whitening strips?
Teeth-whitening strips are small strips of flexible polyethylene plastic. The strips have a coating of carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, the activating agents that whiten your smile. Then, you apply the whitening strips to your teeth and custom mold them around your teeth. The strips are flexible so that they generally are one-size-fits-all. Finally, the gel from the strip gradually seeps into your tooth enamel to brighten it. The Greeneville family dentists express that whitening strip treatment is discrete and disposable, so you can keep your secret about how you maintain a sparkling smile.
Do whitening strips work?
Yes, to a degree. Whitening strips do work, but the strength of the gel on the strip is low. Even though whitening strips can remove surface stains and make your smile brighter, there is no comparison to professional dental whitening treatment results. The pharmaceutical grade whitening component used at your friendly Jonesborough teeth whitening dentist includes a much higher concentration of whitening compounds resulting in dramatic changes to your smile instantly, instead of over time.
What are some common problems with whitening strip use?
As mentioned, whitening strips provide a low level of active ingredients and provide dismal results. In addition to slow results, other issues can develop when you use a product in a sensitive area, such as your mouth. Below are a few additional problems patients report with whitening strip use.
- Gum Damage – The chemical on the strip that whitens your teeth may cause a chemical reaction that damages your gums. Therefore, exercise caution when applying the strip and make sure it does not touch your gums.
- Yellow Spots – Some whitening strip users state they end up with a white center and darker edges. The result is that whitening strips often do not reach between your teeth or fit snugly around the curves. For a substantial whitening experience, Erwin’s professional teeth whitening treatment is best as it completely covers your tooth.
- Tooth Damage – Since whitening strips have a gel that permeates your tooth enamel, too much strip whitening can cause damage to your smile. It can be easy to leave the strips on too long or wear them more often than directed for faster results. The overuse of whitening strips can increase tooth sensitivity or turn the enamel a greyish color from the enamel over-softening. Therefore, if you choose to use whitening strips to brighten your smile, exercise caution and have a board-certified dentist monitor your progress to keep from experiencing adverse effects.
Teeth Whitening in Greeneville, Jonesborough, and Erwin, Tennessee
An impressive smile that gets you the job or the significant other is a common and obtainable dream. Even though professional whitening treatments may cost more initially, the long-term damage you cause your smile with continuous use of whitening strips may far outweigh the treatment cost to repair it. Therefore, if you seek a brighter, whiter smile, feel free to call the local teeth whitening dentist in Greeneville from Tusculum Dental Care at (423) 639-7575 or request an appointment online.