How to Get a Great Smile

Posted on: 15 May 2018

Many people who opt for at-home whitening products as compared to visiting the dentist for professional treatment usually make use of whitening strips. These are merely strips that are made from a plastic material that is coated with whitening gel. You are supposed to apply the strips to the teeth and leave them for a few minutes for the gel to work. In some instances, you need to use strips a few times to achieve desirable results. While whitening strips provide a cheaper option as compared to visiting a dentist, they also come with some risks. You should be aware of them so that you can determine whether this technique is right for you.

The following are some of the risks associated with using teeth whitening strips to achieve pearly white teeth.

Poorly whitened teeth

Whitening strips are two-dimensional materials that are applied to the teeth, yet your teeth are three-dimensional. This means that if you don't take measures to ensure that the product gets on all the surfaces, you will be left with unevenly whitened teeth. What's more, since this is a DIY treatment, it may be hard to get the strips into all the parts of the teeth. As a result, you may get unsightly yellow spots on the teeth, and sometimes, these can be quite noticeable. So, unless you know how to use strips to achieve evenly whitened teeth, it would be a good idea to get professional treatment.

Tooth sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is a risk that occurs when getting both at-home and in-house whitening. However, the risk is higher for DIY treatments due to incorrect use of the product. If you don't follow the packaging instructions, you may end up using more product than required, and this will irritate your teeth. Excessive sensitivity can be very uncomfortable, and it will hinder you from eating hot or cold foods and drinks until the problem goes away. However, with professional whitening, the sensitivity is mild and will only last a few days.

Possible tooth damage

Not every person is a candidate for tooth whitening, and when taking a DIY treatment, you may not be aware of this. Individuals who have decayed teeth, gum disease, and allergies to certain chemicals should not whiten teeth without professional advice. Doing so can cause damage to the teeth or even result in tooth loss. If you suffer any dental conditions, it is a good idea to seek treatment first before getting the teeth whitened.

At-home tooth whitening should be approached with caution to avoid these and other risks. Visit a doctor for professional consultation and treatment so that you can get evenly whitened teeth with minimal or no side effects.