Are Teeth Whitening Strips the Best Way to Whiten Your Teeth?

Filtered by Oral Health Goal

Teeth Whitening Strips and How Do They Work?

Teeth whitening strips are thin, flexible materials coated with whitening ingredients. These strips are designed to adhere to the surface of the teeth and deliver whitening agents directly to the enamel.

The primary active ingredients in these strips are usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent that acts faster to break down into water and oxygen, which helps to remove surface stains and deeper discolouration, often providing quicker results¹.

Carbamide peroxide, on the other hand, contains about one-third of hydrogen peroxide which provides a slower teeth-whitening effect than the former ones as it is gentler on the teeth and gums² ³.

These bleaching agents produce noticeable teeth-whitening results in as little as a couple of weeks, making teeth-whitening strips a highly favourable option to at-home teeth-whitening products⁴.

Pros of Using Teeth Whitening Strips

1. Convenience

Teeth whitening strips are easy to use and require no special skills or equipment. You can simply apply the strips to your teeth, wait for the recommended amount of time, usually around 30 minutes, and then remove them. This makes them an ideal option to whiten your teeth at home.

2. Cost-effectiveness

Compared to the costly clinical teeth whitening treatment, teeth whitening strips are far more affordable. This makes them an accessible option for those on a budget.

3. Short Time Needed Per Treatment

You typically use the teeth whitening strips for about 30mins each time. This makes them a time-efficient option for those with busy schedules. You can easily fit a whitening session into your daily routine, whether it's while you're watching TV, reading a book, or even working from home.

Cons of Using Teeth Whitening Strips

1. Overuse May Cause Weakening of Enamel

While teeth whitening strips are generally safe to use, prolonged home bleaching would lead to the risk of enamel weakening. Exposing at-home tooth bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide in whitening strips continuously may harm the protein-rich dentin tissue located beneath the enamel thus increasing the risk of tooth decay⁵.

2. Teeth Sensitivity

Bleaching agents, such as hydrogen peroxide, can affect or even irritate the nerves within your teeth, increasing the possibility of teeth sensitivity⁶. This can make consuming hot or cold foods and beverages uncomfortable.

3. Problems with Incorrect Usage

If the whitening strips do not adhere to your teeth properly, it could lead to gum irritation or burns. Causing redness, swelling, and even pain in the gums⁷. It's important to follow the instructions carefully and avoid contact with the gums as much as possible to minimize these risks.

Other DIY/Home Remedies to Whiten Teeth

Brushing with Baking Soda

Research suggests that using baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) can enhance the appearance of your teeth. As an alkaline compound with mild abrasive properties, it helps remove surface stains and eliminate bad bacteria without damaging the enamel⁸. Simply mix a small amount of baking soda with water to form a paste and brush your teeth with it a few times a week⁹.

Oil pulling

Oil pulling, a traditional Ayurvedic remedy for teeth whitening, involves swishing a tablespoon of edible oil, typically coconut oil, in the mouth for 15 to 20 minutes each morning before brushing. This practice suggests a soap-like effect and helps remove plaque buildup from teeth and gums and prevent tooth decay¹⁰. Although there is limited scientific evidence supporting its efficacy, many users report satisfactory whitening results.

Whitening Toothpaste

To keep your pearly whites for a longer period, you can consider using a whitening toothpaste while using whitening strips. Whitening toothpaste is your fuss-free and affordable option for brightening your smile without peroxide bleaching agents. These kinds of toothpaste often include ingredients like fluoride and calcium, which help prevent cavities and strengthen oral health while whitening teeth.

For Darlie, there is a wide range of Whitening toothpaste that you can choose for your current needs. Darlie All Shiny White Multi-Care Toothpaste offers whitening plus 7 benefits for all-around oral care, including removing plaque, strengthening enamel, and gum care. Another option is Darlie All Shiny White Enzyme Whitening Toothpaste, which brightens teeth by removing stubborn stains and protecting against future stain buildups while caring for enamel.

Improved Oral Hygiene

Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial for preventing new stains from accumulating. Regular brushing, flossing, dental check-ups and scaling can go a long way in keeping your teeth healthy and white. It's also a good idea to rinse your mouth or even brush your teeth after consuming foods and beverages with darker pigments¹¹.

Dietary Adjustments

Reducing the consumption of foods and beverages that cause stains can also help prevent further discolouration. Limiting your consumption of tea, coffee, red wine, and other staining agents can make a difference in the appearance of your teeth over time¹².

Teeth whitening strips provide a fuss-free method for achieving a brighter smile, but maintaining a healthy and bright smile requires more than just occasional whitening. Ensuring overall oral health involves using appropriate toothpaste and practising good dental habits as the foundation of a beautiful smile. Whether opting for whitening strips, whitening toothpaste, or other alternatives, the key is to find a solution that works best for you and commit to a consistent oral care routine.

¹Naenae Dental Clinic. "The Ultimate Guide to Teeth Whitening." https://naenaedentalclinic.co.nz/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-teeth-whitening/.
²Hollywood Whitening. "Carbamide vs Hydrogen Peroxide: Unraveling the Choices in Teeth Whitening Agents." https://www.hollywoodwhitening.com/blog/carbamide-vs-hydrogen-peroxide-unraveling-the-choices-in-teeth-whitening-agents/.
³Dentaltix. "Differences Between Hydrogen Peroxide and Carbamide Peroxide for Whitening." Dentaltix, https://www.dentaltix.com/en/blog/differences-between-hydrogen-peroxide-and-carbamide-peroxide-whitening.
⁴PubMed. "Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of an Over-the-Counter Whitening System." PubMed, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15645891/.
⁵ScienceDaily. "Teeth Whitening May Damage Protein-rich Tooth Layer.", https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190409135928.htm.
⁶River Run Dental. "Why Are My Teeth Sensitive After Wearing Whitening Strips?", https://riverrundentalspa.com/my-teeth-sensitive-after-wearing-whitening-strips/.
⁷Smile Design Dental. "How to Treat Burned Gums from Teeth Whitening.", https://smiledesigndental.com.au/dental-pathology/how-to-treat-burned-gums-from-teeth-whitening/.
⁸Forbes, "How to Whiten Your Teeth.", https://www.forbes.com/health/dental/how-to-whiten-your-teeth/.
⁹Saknouk Dental Services PC. "Baking Soda Teeth Whitening.", https://www.saknoukdentalservicespc.com/baking-soda-teeth-whitening/.
¹⁰Pleasant Family Dentistry, "6 Natural Ways to Whiten Your Teeth.", https://www.pleasantfamilydentistry.com/blog/6-natural-ways-to-whiten-your-teeth.
¹¹NoFrills Dental. "Alternatives to Teeth Whitening." NoFrills Dental, https://www.nofrillsdental.com/alternatives-to-teeth-whitening/.
¹²PubMed, "Effects of staining and bleaching on color change of dental composite resins", https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16473088/.