The Truth About At-Home Whitening Strips

As one of the most requested dental procedures, teeth whitening has come a long way since the ancient Egyptians, who first relied on a combination of wine vinegar and ground pumice stone to whiten their teeth.

Fast forward to modern times, when whitening strips containing peroxide gel were introduced in the late 1980s. You applied the strips twice a day for two weeks. Today, most strips contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which breaks down pigments that cause staining beneath your tooth’s surface.

People with extensive discoloration or staining may benefit from stronger, more precise professional methods. Our team at Smile Bright Dental in Tampa and New Port Richey, Florida, turn your smile pearly white through safe and effective whitening treatments.

How whitening strips work

Whitening strips target two types of stains: intrinsic and extrinsic. Natural teeth absorb whitening chemicals, while crowns and implants won’t.

Intrinsic staining affects the inside of your tooth and is caused by aging enamel, high levels of fluoride, antibiotics, and genetics. Extrinsic staining alters the surface of your teeth through things like wine, coffee, dark berries, smoking and/or chewing tobacco, and metals such as iron and copper.

Additional at-home whitening products

You’ll also find other over-the-counter whitening products such as:

• Toothpaste that gradually brightens your teeth but may cause sensitivity
• Rinses swirled around in your mouth
• Gel strips worn for 30 minutes to an hour at a time over several weeks

Toothpaste and rinses gradually whiten, while gel trays and whitening strips penetrate the enamel and deeper dentin layer, bleaching the molecules that cause staining. Gel trays generally work best.

Side effects of whitening strips

Although whitening strips lighten your teeth, they may also cause tooth sensitivity and irritate your gums. If used incorrectly, they can also damage your tooth enamel. Talk to your dentist about whitening to avoid long-term issues.

How we whiten your teeth

Our Smile Bright Dental team does all the work while you relax. We:

• Place a special device in your mouth
• Move your lips out of the way
• Paint your teeth with a medical-grade whitening solution
• Activate the solution with a special light to ensure the best outcome possible
• Remove the solution and rinse your mouth 

Before scheduling a whitening procedure, your dentist also discusses certain contraindications, including:

• Pregnancy
• Nursing
• Gum problems
• Untreated tooth decay

Our team considers your dental health and other factors to help you decide what type of whitening treatment is right for you.

Over-the-counter strips versus professional gel trays

Over-the-counter whitening strips remove some discoloration and stains. However, if you have sensitive gums or desire more extensive whitening, you may be best served with professional treatment.

We also offer custom trays filled with whitening gel that fit snugly over your teeth so you can whiten at home. You place the gel in the trays and wear them for a prescribed time. Although this approach takes more time than in-office whitening, you control the final results. Simply stop once you’re happy with the shade.

Transform your smile

At-home whitening strips do work, but they’re messy and don’t allow sufficient time to achieve the best results. Other at-home methods help slow staining but won’t achieve your ideal shade as well as professional whitening treatments.

Our team at Smile Bright Dental transforms your smile through cosmetic dentistry. If you’d like to learn more about professional teeth whitening or discuss other dental issues, give us a call today or request an appointment online at any time.