Using Whitening Strips
Get ADA-approved whitening strips. These kits contain 2 sets of strips that go on your upper and lower teeth. Go to your local pharmacy and check the tooth care section for whitening strips. Look for the American Dental Association seal of approval to demonstrate that this product is safe. Read and follow all the instructions on any product you use. Currently, Crest whitening strips are the only brand that has ADA approval. Don’t buy any products that aren’t ADA-approved. Some whitening strips contain harsh chemicals that could damage your tooth enamel and irritate your gums. For a list of ADA-approved bleaching products, visit https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/ada-seal-products/category-display?category=Bleaching+Products.
Brush and floss your teeth if the instructions tell you to. This removes any buildup on your teeth that could block the whitening gel or stop the strips from sticking properly. Brush, floss, and rinse your teeth normally before attaching the strips. Not all whitening strips instruct you to brush your teeth first. Always check the instructions before you use them.
Press the strips onto your teeth. Open your mouth and curl your lips back so you can see all your teeth. Peel the backing paper off one strip and press the sticky side down onto the front of your bottom teeth. Run your finger along the strip to make sure it sticks completely. If the strip sticks out above your teeth, fold that part over the top. Then do the same for your top teeth. Most kits don’t have different strips for your top and bottom teeth, but double check anyway to make sure. Wash your hands thoroughly before reaching into your mouth.
Keep the strips attached for 10-45 minutes. The exact amount of time depends on how strong the whitening gel is, so leave them on for as long as the product instructs you to. While you wait, try lying back with your mouth slightly open so pull saliva away from your teeth. Try to reduce the amount of times you swallow while the strips are attached. You might swallow some of the whitening chemicals, which could irritate your stomach. Don’t eat or drink while the strips are attached. Leave them in place and don’t touch or adjust them.
Peel the strips off when the regimen is finished. After the correct amount of time has passed, reach into your mouth to the end of the strip and peel it off gently. Do the same for the other strip. Throw both of them away and don’t reuse them. Leaving the strips on longer than instructed doesn’t increase the whitening affect. It only makes the chemicals irritate your teeth and gums. Make sure your hands are clean before reaching into your mouth. Wash them again if you’ve touched anything.
Rinse your mouth to remove any leftover gel. Use water or a 50/50 water and mouthwash mixture. Swish the mixture around, focusing on the front of your teeth, to get any remaining gel off. If you feel like more gel is stuck on your teeth, brush it off with your toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Removing the leftover gel is important because you could end up with white specks around your teeth if you leave the gel on in some spots.
Repeat the treatment as often as the product instructs you to. Different products have different instructions, ranging from twice a day for a week to once a day for 2 weeks. Double check the packaging and follow the treatment that you’re instructed to. If at any point your teeth feel overly sensitive or irritated, stop using the whitening strips. Contact your dentist and ask what you should do.
Cleaning Your Mouth with Whitening Products
Use an ADA-approved whitening toothpaste. Some products on the market are designed for teeth whitening. Look for toothpastes containing baking soda or hydrogen peroxide, 2 main ingredients for whitening. Remember to check for the ADA seal and brush with the product like you normally would. Whitening toothpastes don’t produce immediate results. It’ll take a few weeks of brushing to scrub away tooth stains. Brushing harder won’t make your teeth whiter. In fact, this could damage your teeth because you’ll scrub away the enamel.
Brush your teeth with baking soda for a cheaper option. Whitening products can be expensive, and a simpler and more affordable option is using plain baking soda. Put a small spoonful of baking soda into a cup and add a few drops of water. Mix them together until the baking soda reaches a pasty consistency. Then dip your toothbrush in and brush your teeth normally. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water or mouthwash after using baking soda. Leaving it on your teeth could cause irritation or erode the enamel. You can also add baking soda to your regular toothpaste for a similar effect. Squeeze the normal amount on to your toothbrush and sprinkle some baking soda onto it before brushing.
Rinse your mouth with a 1.5%-3% hydrogen peroxide solution. Many whitening products contain peroxide, and a low-concentration mixture can help whiten your teeth more cheaply. Pour the peroxide into a cup and dilute it with an equal amount of water. Then put some in your mouth after brushing and swish it around for 1-2 minutes. Spit it out and rinse your mouth with plain water. Don’t swallow this mixture. It could irritate your stomach. Most pharmacies and drug stores carry peroxide. Make sure to get a low concentration to avoid irritating your mouth. You can also mix baking soda with peroxide instead of water to make a whitening toothpaste. Keep in mind that this mixture won’t taste very good, so dilute it with water if you find the flavor overwhelming.
Practicing Good Oral Hygiene
Brush and floss your teeth twice a day for the best dental health. While brushing and flossing won't remove existing stains, good mouth hygiene is essential to preventing more staining and to keeping your teeth in excellent shape. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste for the best results. When you’re done, floss in between all your teeth to remove any leftover food. The best times to brush are in the morning after breakfast and before you go to bed. If you prefer to brush 3 times, do so after lunch. Wait at least 15 minutes before brushing your teeth after eating. This seems counterintuitive, but before this timeframe, the acid in your mouth is still active, and brushing can scrub off enamel. Don’t brush more than 3 times per day. This can scrub off enamel and make your teeth weaker. Floss at least once a day. A good time is at night, after brushing and before going to bed.
Gargle with mouthwash to prevent stains from leftover bacteria. Brushing doesn’t remove all the bacteria in your mouth. After you brush, rinse your mouth for another minute using an ADA-approved mouthwash to prevent plaque from building up and staining your teeth. Remember to look for the ADA seal on any mouthwash products you use. If the mouthwash is too strong or minty and burns your gums, dilute it with an equal amount of water.
Schedule dental cleanings every 6 months to remove deep stains. Have your dentist clean your teeth professionally at your regularly-scheduled appointments. This will help you maintain good dental hygiene, spot any cavities, and keep teeth white and healthy. You can also consult your dentist about a professional teeth-whitening session or products to use at home.
Limit your consumption of foods or beverages that stain your teeth. The best way to keep your teeth white is prevent them from getting stained in the first place. Common items that stain your teeth are coffee (especially black coffee), red wine, and dark soda. Have these drinks less often to avoid staining your teeth. Smoking also stains your teeth. Quit smoking or don’t start in the first place. If you’re drinking a cold, dark liquid, try using a straw to keep it away from your teeth.
Avoid using any acidic or herbal whitening remedies. There are many other DIY teeth whitening remedies on the internet. Most of these are not scientifically valid, and some are even harmful. Stick with products and methods approved by the ADA to avoid damaging your teeth. A common suggestion is using lemon juice on your teeth. This is dangerous because lemons are very acidic and they could break down your tooth enamel. Other remedies, like turmeric powder, have not been evaluated for effectiveness.
Consulting Your Dentist if Needed
Check with your dentist before you whiten your teeth. Talk to your dentist about the products you’re planning to use to whiten your teeth. They may be able to determine whether or they’ll be effective for your particular discoloration or safe for use. If you have any small cracks in your teeth, your dentist may advise against using whitening products. The chemicals could irritate the tooth pulp if it’s exposed.
Get medical care if your gums turn white or bleed. Whitening solutions can cause chemical burns on your gums which can make them appear white or cause them to be. This is usually harmless and clears up on its own, but you should still get it checked out to make sure there isn’t heavy damage. In the meantime, stop using any products that caused this. The tissue should return to normal after a few days.
See a doctor if you experience severe stomach pain. Some whitening products can cause pain and inflammation in your stomach if you swallow it. Mild discomfort can be a normal side effect, but if you experience severe pain or diarrhea or vomiting that lasts longer than 2 days, visit a doctor to make sure there isn’t a serious problem. Stop using the product if you experience severe pain, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Talk to your dentist if your teeth become more sensitive. A possible side effect of whitening your teeth is that they could become more sensitive. Some sensitivity is normal, but if your teeth become extremely sensitive to heat or cold, talk to your dentist to make sure your teeth aren’t damaged. The dentist may advise you to stop using whitening products or suggest a different one. Follow their instructions.
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