Teeth Whitening Strips - A Great Home Option for Whitening

One of the home options available to whiten your teeth is teeth whitening strips. They are a great alternative to some of the other products out there that are expensive and complicated.

What are These Strips?

Basically these teeth whitening strips are small strips that are very thin and they are made out of polyethylene. They are coated with a very small amount of hydrogen peroxide, which is what works to bleach the teeth. When you purchase a kit of these strips, you'll get two types of strips. One type is made to go on the top teeth and the other strips are designed to fit on your lower teeth.

How to Apply

When you're ready to whiten your teeth, you simply take the strips and firmly apply them to the teeth. Make sure that you get them on evenly and securely. Usually you'll leave these strips on for about 30 minutes at a time and you'll do this two times each day. Most of the kits require you to apply them twice daily for anywhere from a week to 14 days. This will depend on how strong the bleaching agent is on the strips that you purchase.

Compared to Trays

When you compare these teeth whitening strips to trays for whitening, you'll find that the strips have some definitely advantages. You don't have to wear the strips near as long, so you don't spend as much time on the teeth whitening. You'll also find that the strips are more comfortable since they are not bulky and you don't have to worry about trying to get the right fit.

On the Downside

Of course, while these strips have a lot to offer you, they do have some cons as well. One of the problems is that hydrogen peroxide is often the main bleaching agent that is used on them. There are many studies that show that hydrogen peroxide is not nearly as effective for teeth whitening as carbamide peroxide happens to be, which you can now find in a variety of different products for whitening your teeth.

Side Effects

There can be some side effects to watch out for when you use teeth whitening strips. One problem is gum irritation, which can occur if you get some of the bleaching agent on the gums. Another problem is tooth sensitivity, which is especially common in people who already have very sensitive teeth. These problems usually get better with time though.

Today you'll find that these teeth whitening strips are widely available and they are a great option for teeth whitening. Their price makes them especially attractive, but you'll have to decide if they are going to provide you with the whitening results that you really want.