As functional as teeth may be, they also make up for the aesthetic feature of one’s face. So, when teeth begin to stain as a result of food habits, smoking, or age, it affects appearance as a whole. American Dental Association has cited several methods that could be safely adopted to whiten teeth. Of them all, at-home whitening strips are the most prevalent. As popular as the process may be, the actual science behind it is rarely understood.
Here, we wish to give you a 360-degree understanding of tooth bleaching procedures, how they help to achieve whiter teeth, how whitening strips work, and whether the home procedure is better or worse than professional teeth whitening procedures that you often pay for at your dentist’s office.
What Are Teeth Whitening Strips?
As opposed to whitening toothpaste that has to be used twice a day, teeth whitening strips work by using chemicals like carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. The chemicals work on the tooth enamel to lighten the stains and visibly whiten your teeth. Some whitening kits also include a special ultra-violet light boosting device. The light claims to provide you with a brighter smile. However, the strips work only on an aesthetic level, meaning that the strips do not provide relief from gum diseases, tooth decay, or cavities.
The concept of teeth whitening strips came about quite by accident when a dentist realized that the peroxide-rich Gly-oxide used to treat gums also made the teeth whiter. The first such product was released by Proctor & Gamble in 1997, but the process of using peroxide-soaked paper to brighten smiles has been around since the 1980s. The actual practice of whitening teeth began almost 4,000 years ago in ancient Egypt, where ground-up pumice was mixed with white vinegar and applied to teeth and gums. Thus, the practice of whitening teeth and maintaining dental hygiene is not a recent occurrence.
Initially, dentists were primarily entrusted with the task of whitening teeth. The process would also include the plaque build-up removal. However, dentists’ appointments don’t come cheap, and getting a procedure to make your smile brighter is considered to be a cosmetic procedure and is seldom covered by insurance. The procedure was also time-consuming and required re-visits. What was needed was a simpler, easier, and convenient process that could be conducted in the privacy of one’s home. The market was just ripe for teeth whitening strips that could be used without anyone else being none the wiser. With the launch of the first Proctor & Gamble product, other companies soon began to release their versions of the product. And every brand puts its twist on the product – fresher breath, the absence of side effects, vegetarianism, or some other gimmick to set themselves apart. To be honest, a teeth whitening strip should be judged only for the results it is capable of producing. Since the product is designed to get teeth whiter, safely, and quickly, that is the only facet you should be looking at.
Types Whitening Strips
Modern teeth whitening began with dentists using chlorine to have a whitening effect on teeth, and the practice lasted until the 1900s, when hydrogen peroxide grew to be a favorite among dentists. However, the first hydrogen peroxide products used were too concentrated and harsh and caused gum irritation and even, in some cases, permanent damage to the sensitive gum tissue. After much experimentation, carbamide peroxide was used to remove stains and was found to have lesser side effects and was also soft tissue friendly. Over time, ways were found to nullify the adverse consequences of regular use, and since then, both peroxides have been used for tooth whitening.
There are several types of teeth whitening strips, and your dentist would be able to advise as to which would suit your needs best.
The Peroxide Teeth Whitening Strips
These are, by far, the most prevalently found over-the-counter products. These white strips would usually include 10% to 22% hydrogen peroxide or 3% to 15% carbamide peroxide. The peroxides are usually paired with sodium carbonate, the chemical reaction between which aids the removal of surface stains. The amount of the main whitening ingredient – Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide, varies from one brand to the next and is significantly lower than the professional whitening products used by dentists. So, checking the amount of the peroxide that is added would help you determine how effective the strips actually are.
The Non-Peroxide Strips
For those who do not wish to expose teeth to bleaching agents, the non-peroxide strip is the solution. Here, the strips rely on natural enzymes and other natural ingredients like baking soda to restore a healthy smile. These strips are best for those who suffer from tooth sensitivity. However, the results of these teeth-whitening products are not as dramatic as that of their peroxide counterparts. The results may also be slower to surface, which has caused some frustration among users. The non-peroxide strips are also sometimes accompanied by a whitening gel that could hurry the process along, but the results are still not as great as one would expect.
Charcoal Strips
Made with a combination of activated charcoal and baking soda, these strips are much gentler than the peroxide ones, but the results are, at best, moderate. While the charcoal absorbs the teeth stains, the baking soda works to remove built-up plaque from the teeth. Unfortunately, charcoal does not work well with sensitive teeth, and the results are not as lasting.
Other Inclusions
Acrylate copolymer is a binding agent that holds the whitening gel to the strips and helps the strips keep their integrity while they are on your teeth. Sodium hydroxide is added to strip the surface stains from the teeth. Carbomer is added to absorb and retain water, while Glycerin is used to thicken the gel and help the gel stick to the teeth. Most whitening strips also come with a plastic covering made of Polyethene, which is the side that has the active agents on it.
Brands would also add flavoring agents that would mask the taste of the bleaching agents, enzymes, or charcoal.
The Science Behind Teeth Whitening
How Do Whitening Strips Work on Teeth? This is a question that is commonly asked. Well, in order to understand how the whitening products work, you should first know how the stains are formed on your teeth in the first place. Natural teeth are a certain type of white that can rarely be duplicated. This is because the white comes from the dentin layer, which is below the tooth enamel. The stains can be caused by a number of factors, but the most common are poor dental hygiene and food habits. Ideally, once you get your permanent set of teeth, brushing twice a day and cleaning the debris of food from between the gaps should be standard. If this practice is not rigorously followed, yellowing teeth is a set eventuality. Also, certain beverages like tea, coffee, cola, and red wine are strong staining agents. Tobacco is another factor that causes yellow to orange teeth, depending on how you use the stimulant. The stains would not be obvious at first, but over time, the constant exposure to staining agents would start to discolor teeth. The dentin layer begins to collect deposits, which will eventually color your smile.
Teeth whitening works to reduce the visibility of the stains. When a brand claims to remove stains, it is not being entirely honest. Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide are bleaching agents – they work on the dentin layer to bleach the color out of the stains to reveal whiter teeth. The bleaching effects of enzymes or other natural ingredients are not as strong, which is why the results are poor comparatively. The peroxide strips work best on extrinsic stains that are found on the surface of teeth, which are the results of food habits. There are also intrinsic stains that usually result from tobacco use. The latter stains can be satisfactorily removed only by professional procedures.
Whatever the brand, the whitening agent used on the strips only goes so far into the tooth; so, while using whitening strips may reveal some level of whitening, you would be left disappointed if your teeth are stained from trauma, infection, or tobacco. At best, the strips can help with touch-ups and minor color adjustments. However, when compared to other whitening alternatives like toothpaste, topical gels, or special toothbrushes, whitening strips are best among the whitening options.
What You Need to Know?
Alternatives If strips are not something you want to do, there are several whitening alternatives like toothpaste, mouthwashes, whitening powders, custom whitening trays, and light-activated bleaching, which are both dental surgery procedures. The former three procedures can be adopted for use in the privacy of your home. However, evidence suggests that whitening strips are the most effective of the whitening techniques. Apart from market-bought products, many people prefer to use natural ingredients like vinegar, fruit juices, wood ash, or rock salt for whitening. These components are mostly used because people want to avoid the severe effects of carbamide or hydrogen peroxide side effects and damage. Natural ingredients can be used for longer periods of time and are 100% safe. |
Efficacy Considering that tooth whitening has been around for a while, there is considerable research when it comes to teeth whitening strips. Research spans from testing whitening strips against professional in-chair bleaching techniques to comparing the results of using UV light while the strips are on. The evidence from such research is mostly the same – when a spectrometer was used, whitening strips were found to be effective, but when compared to the results of dental procedures, teeth whitening strips manifested significantly poorer results. Also, while the strips were able to reduce the visibility of extrinsic stains, they were not as useful when it came to long-term stains caused by trauma or infection. |
Risks & Side Effects When it comes to visible results, the peroxide strips are the best. However, there are certain risks involved while using them. When used once in a while, these strips are perfectly safe. In case the strips are used regularly for extended periods, there is a very real risk of causing permanent damage to teeth. The damage could also result in tooth sensitivity. Extended use would penetrate the enamel and increase sensitivity. The problem becomes severe if you have sensitive teeth to begin with. Gum damage is imminent. The ingredients in the strips – natural or compound bleaches have an eroding effect. With extended use of the strip, the sensitive tissue of the gums tends to become irritated and, if left untreated, could lead to gum disease. Uneven coloring is also a risk you take. The application of the strip has to be just so. Even with perfect application, it is difficult for the strip to reach curves and dents. This could lead to white teeth surfaces but darker outlines. This could cause teeth to look badly kept and unhygienic. Users have mentioned tooth sensitivity, irritation, discomfort, and, in some extreme cases, tooth loss from extended use of whitening strips. If you wish for a thorough cleaning, where white appears on the teeth evenly, we would suggest that you visit the dentist. |
Tips for Improving Results The strips do not ask for much in terms of upkeep of results. The only ask is that you practice good oral care, which includes:
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How to Use?
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When using strips, especially the peroxide ones, it is vital that you do not use the products for longer than a month. As the bleaching agents could cause damage to the teeth and gums.
Comparing Popular Teeth Whitening Strip Brands
There are quite a few brands that can be bought over the counter, but to help you see how such products compare against each other, here is a quick comparison of them.
Nubeam Supersmile Teeth Whitening Kit | Crest Whitestrips | Lumineux Whitening Strips | Zimba Teeth Whitening Strips | Colgate Optic White Overnight Whitening Pen | |
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Description | A cruelty-free & vegan formula that works on even tobacco stains, Nubeam is safe for sensitive teeth and provides professional levels of whitening. | Crest Whitening strips work to whiten teeth & it comes with a range of products to meet every whitening need. | Lumineux is a bleach-free formula that helps to whiten teeth without chemical bleaching agents & is proven safe for tooth enamel. | Formulated to be fun & tasty, Zimba is a reduced sensitivity whitening formula that is enamel-safe. | Not a strip but a pen that applies whitening gel to the surface of the teeth. The formula whitens teeth while you sleep. |
Dentist Recommended | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Kit Inclusions | PAP Pro Strips 28 & LED light | 40 dental strips for 20 days of treatment. | 28 strips | 28 strips | One pen |
LED Light Required | Optional | No | No | Optional | No |
Ingredients | Polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 (PVP K30), Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Polyvinylpyrrolidone K90 (PVP K90), Aqua, Ethanol, Hydrogen Peroxide, Menthol. | PVP, Water, PEG-8, Acrylates Copolymer, Hydrogen Peroxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Saccharin. | Vegetable Glycerol, Deionized Water, Carbomer, Carboxymethyl, Coconut Oil, Dead Sea Salt, Sage Oil, and Lemon Peel Oil. | PVP-K30, Glycerol,Hydroxypropyl, Cellulose, Pvp-k90, Water, Alcohol, Hydrogen peroxide, Menthol. | Alcohol, Acrylates/Octylacrylamide Copolymer, Water, Hydrogen Peroxide. |
Flavors | Mint | NA | NA | Mint, strawberry, coconut, watermelon, peach & spearmint. | NA |
How to Use? | Apply strips to top & bottom teeth for 60 minutes. Boost the process by using the LED light booster for 5 minutes. | Apply strips to teeth and leave them there for 30 minutes. | Apply strips for 30 minutes once a day for seven days. | Apply strips to teeth for 30 minutes. | Apply gel to the surface of teeth & leave overnight. |
Reviews | Positive | Positive | Mixed | Mixed to negative | Mixed |
Results | Visible results in 14 days. | It depends on stains, but the results last 6 months. | Not specified | Visible results in 14 days. | |
Cost | $79 for the complete kit & $49 for the strips only. | $45 for the strips alone. | $40 | $24 | Price ranges from $14.99 to $20.99. |
Refund Policy | A 30-day window for returns. | 60-day guarantee. | 30-day money-back guarantee | Not specified | Not specified. |
From the looks of it, Nubeam seems to be the best possible purchase among the brands. Though the Crest whitening procedures come in at a close second, the variety of products available seems confusing and overwhelming. Nubeam follows a no-nonsense approach to teeth whitening, and the simple application makes it an easier and more convenient cleaning process. The official Nubeam website does a stellar job of explaining the benefits of use and also explains the role of each ingredient used. This makes NuBeam a favorite.
Conclusion
Teeth whitening strips are an easy, convenient, and affordable way to get whiter teeth. While they may not rival the results you get from professional dental bleaching procedures, they are a solution for short-term whitening results. There are some risks and side effects of extended use, but the strips have their benefits.
You have the choice of using peroxide strips or natural bleaching agents, both of which work, but the results for the latter are not as impressive. Among the several brands that offer whitening products, Nubeam seems to be the better and cost-effective whitening option. If you are looking for an easy, at-home teeth whitening option, Nubeam is what we would recommend.
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