Can Whitening Strips Damage Your Teeth?
Flashing white teeth every time you smile is the desire of everyone, and this has seen many embark on brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash, in a bid to have them bright. However, this oftentimes doesn’t work! This is because our daily habits pretty much undo the cleaning process. When you indulge in coffee every day, take some red wine or even soy sauce; these habits have their effect on your teeth.
We all know that you are not going to quit these things to have white teeth. On the other hand, going to the dentist to have a professional whitening treatment can be very expensive and painful if you have sensitive teeth. This is probably why people result to whitening strips that are affordable, readily available, and actually work!
Whitening strips can be found at your local drugstore. They are loved by many because they are thin, almost unnoticeable and grip your teeth and stay put. They are very easy to use, and you can put them on while watching TV or in the office. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
How do Whitening Strips work?
A quick look at the ingredients in whitening strips will show you that the most consistent ingredient in these products is hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide is tasked with removing surface and deep stains that are on the teeth, and it also whitens them at the same time.
Whitening strips show more efficacy than whitening toothpaste, bleach gels, and pens because they have more direct contact with teeth. This is why they are the most effective bleaching agent.
Do they Damage Your Teeth?
New research findings show that using over-the-counter whitening strips may erode the canadian governmentof your teeth. The study discovered that when you use these treatments, your teeth lose the protein in them, that is, the protein-rich dentin layer that is below the teeth’s enamel.
The teeth comprise of three different layers- the outer protective tooth enamel, the inner dentin layer, which makes up most of the tooth and has high levels of protein such as collagen, and the connective tissue which binds the roots to the gum. The research discovered that hydrogen peroxide chips away at the dentin in small fragments. It also eats away the collagen and affects the production of this protein.
What does this mean for people looking to brighten their teeth?
One, it is almost impossible to avoid hydrogen peroxide if you want to whiten your teeth. It is the main ingredient in almost every whitening product. This explains why when people embark on whitening products, they undergo tooth sensitivity afterward.
Tooth sensitivity is brought about by the oxidization of proteins that are in the dentin layer by the hydrogen peroxide. The fibers in the dentin then become agitated, and this makes the teeth sensitive. Furthermore, sensitivity or damage to teeth is sped up if the level of hydrogen peroxide is high. The amount of hydrogen peroxide in whitening strips found in drugstores varies. The highest level in these strips could be as high as 14 percent of this bleaching agent, while other versions of this product may contain around 6 percent. Additionally, sensitivity to whitening strips may vary depending on the individual. The response to the whitening strips is not uniform.
The bottom line is, if the concentration of hydrogen peroxide is 10 percent or less, then the whitening product is dubbed safe. Also, if you are using whitening strips, ensure that you include a fluoride-containing toothpaste as it strengthens teeth and reduces sensitivity.
In North American societies, there is the belief that having perfectly white teeth is a symbol of self-care and beauty. However, studies have shown that most human teeth are not pearl-white naturally. Most teeth have different shades and hues and which tend to yellow. Also, teeth are not uniformly colored. The pursuit of pearl-white teeth explains why statistic reports show that 40.5 million people in the US turned to tooth whitening products in 2018.
Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent which, when overused or used too much, can cause significant damage to teeth. For this reason, do not use the whitening strips over long periods. Also, consult your dentist before embarking on them.
Sources: Business Insider, Healthline, WebMD