A teeth whitening strip is simplest and easiest way to get whiter teeth. Teeth whitening strips offer all the benefits of a tooth-bleaching system, without the bad effects. One of the fastest and cheapest ways to get whiter teeth, whitening strips are effective when you use them the right way.
Most adults could have a whiter smile if they wanted to. Our teeth naturally darken with age as their smooth coating of enamel develops microscopic cracks. This damage is just normal wear and tear caused by chewing food. The tiny imperfections in our teeth collect debris and develop stains. Colored foods and drinks result in colored debris that can make your teeth look yellow. Coffee and tea are two of the main culprits; many people drink several cups each day. Red wine is another major tooth stainer. Most people are surprised to learn that bright orange foods with a lot of beta carotene can also stain teeth. Those carrots or baked sweet potatoes could be the cause of your yellow teeth.
Most stains sit on the surface of teeth and give them a yellow cast. These are the easiest to remove, and a teeth whitening strip treatment may be all you need to take care of them for a long time. When left for a long time, these surface stains can settle deeper into your teeth and become much more difficult to remove. Smoking is another fast way to stain your teeth yellow or brown, and when these stains are allowed to set for a long time they can become extremely difficult to clean.
Other causes of discoloration are not so easy to remove from your teeth. Deep stains are difficult to remove. Discoloration from antibiotics like tetracycline or overexposure to fluoride usually needs professional removal. Teeth that have been subjected to a root canal may become dark and need to be whitened from the inside out by a dentist.
Teeth whitening strip systems use the same active ingredient as professional whitening systems. With the exception of whitening toothpaste, all tooth-bleaching methods use hydrogen peroxide to oxidize the stains on your teeth. A professional teeth whitening session with a dentist involves custom-fit plastic trays that hold hydrogen peroxide gel against your teeth. Home bleaching kits use the same method, but the plastic trays can fit poorly. Some trays become painful to wear, while others cause chemical burns by exposing your gums to the bleaching agents.
Teeth whitening strips are a great way to solve most of the problems associated with tray bleaching. Strips can be applied and molded to your teeth so that the hydrogen peroxide does not touch sensitive gum tissue. Teeth whitening strip systems work by gradually bleaching your teeth over the course of several days or weeks. This technique does not provide the dazzling results of power-bleaching at a dental office, but the results often last longer.
The biggest complain about teeth whitening strip systems is tooth sensitivity. This is common with all tooth-bleaching methods, including those performed by a dentist. Your teeth may ache all day, or you may feel stabbing pains in individual teeth. Your teeth may become sensitive to hot or cold liquids. These sensitivities continue as long as you use the strips, but usually disappear within a few days after discontinuing use.