Don't Fall for the Strips

Whether when scrolling through social media, driving pass billboards on your daily commute, or even when talking to family and friends, it is almost inevitable to avoid taking notice of perfect, white smiles. Acquiring straight teeth through orthodontic practices merely isn’t enough according to our beauty standards, as whitening our teeth has become a trend as well. Whitening teeth isn’t all that bad for you if done properly. However, it is important to know the truth about the “whitening” strips that one may purchase at nearly every convenience store. In fact, these strips may not be all that convenient after all.

You may have once used the beloved Crest whitening strips that are advertised all over the media and perhaps at your local dental office in efforts to achieve a bright, glowing smile. While the information on these strips claim to brighten your smile, they surprising aren’t wrong on this! What is surprising, however, is the way in which these strips work when applied.

Ever notice the gooey part of the strip that adheres to the teeth when applied? Unfortunately, this substance eats away at the outermost layer of enamel on your teeth. Removing this layer also removes the surface stains, and out reveals the next inner layer of enamel that is as white as new. By participating in the whitening strip regimen, one may proclaim that his or her teeth are in fact whitening, but there is a downside to the use of these strips. Once enamel is removed, you cannot grow that enamel back. Oddly enough, the base that forms our teeth is a sticky, yellow substance called dentin. This yellow portion of the tooth becomes exposed as the enamel on our teeth erodes. Dentin is not a substance to reckon with, as it causes severe pain and lingering bad breath.

It may be tempting to purchase cheap whitening strips from a convenience store, but it may not be so financially convenient when seeking a dentist to correct exposed dentin in the future. Dental visits can be extremely costly, especially for cosmetic procedures. Avoid the risks of enamel loss, and turn to your local dentist for a professional whitening procedure. You’ll find yourself smiling much brighter in the end.