Instead of going to the dentist for an expensive whitening treatment, try transforming your smile at home. The whitening strips are easy to use to combat yellowing from carbonated drinks and other products. Before starting the treatment, find out how to make the most of them. You will need to apply them daily for a short time until changes are observed. With constant use, you will be able to show off clean and shiny teeth.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Applying the Stripes
Step 1. After brushing your teeth, wait at least 30 minutes before applying the whitening strips
If your teeth are dirty, it is essential to brush them, as plaque and bacteria could hinder the success of the treatment. In case they are already clean, it is not necessary to brush them at all. Fluoride (found in most toothpastes) can also cause problems: when combined with the hydrogen peroxide in the strips, it could irritate the gums.
If you absolutely have to brush your teeth, try using a fluoride-free toothpaste, as it is less likely to hinder the action of hydrogen peroxide. Also, use a new toothbrush to avoid spreading the plaque
Step 2. Use dental floss to remove any particles stuck between your teeth
Anything that remains between the teeth (such as plaque or food residues) can hinder the action of hydrogen peroxide. To avoid disappointing results, take your time to floss carefully. It is best to do this every time you finish brushing your teeth. You can pass it just before applying the whitening strips to make sure your teeth are well cleaned.
Floss (or an alternative product) between all teeth. Take several strokes, rubbing it on your teeth to remove food residue and plaque. Finally, rinse your mouth with a glass of water
Step 3. Remove the strips from the box and peel off the plastic backing
The whitening strips are divided into pairs: one strip is for the upper teeth and the other for the lower ones. Each pair is attached to a piece of plastic. Once you have removed the strips from the box, peel them from the plastic wrap. It is best to peel off and apply one strip at a time.
Each pair consists of a longer and a shorter strip. The long strip is designed for the upper arch and the shorter one for the lower arch. Just look at them to be able to distinguish them
Step 4. Adhere the gel-coated part of the strip to your teeth
The strips are similar to the patches and therefore have an adhesive attached to the back. The sticky side is the one attached to the plastic liner, so don't lift it until it's time to apply the strip. Make sure you insert this side into your mouth first.
Start with your favorite strip, remembering which arch it is intended for. It is usually easier to start with the lower one, but that doesn't matter as long as the strips are applied to the right arch
Step 5. Align the strip with the edge of the gum
Support the ends of the strip as you adhere it to your teeth. Center it on the incisors, which are the four largest teeth in the center of the mouth. Also make sure to bring the strip close to the gums. Once you place it in the right place, the edge of the strip will adhere to the gum line.
If you have trouble positioning the strips, try folding them in half before peeling them off the plastic liner. This will create a crease which you will then place between the incisors. This is a trick that will help you not lose sight of the central point of the strip
Step 6. Press the strip onto the incisors until it fits snugly, then fold the rest to the inside of the teeth
Apply good pressure on the strip to make it adhere, then use your nails to press it and secure it well. Start at the incisors and work your way up to the canines and molars. At this point, the strip will protrude over the teeth, so fix it by carefully folding it over the inner side of the arch. Wrap it around your teeth and press it back onto their surface to secure it.
- When using the whitening strips, press them as hard as possible onto the arch. This way, the chemicals will remain on the teeth rather than disperse in the mouth.
- If you have trouble getting the strips to stick, blot your teeth with a clean cloth or paper towel to get rid of any residual saliva. The gel on the strips has a rather sticky consistency, so there are hardly any problems with adhesion. However, it is possible that the saliva causes some difficulties.
Part 2 of 3: Letting the Stripes Work
Step 1. Leave the whitening strips on your teeth for 30 minutes
Once you've applied them correctly, you just have to wait. While waiting, you should neither eat nor drink, with the exception of water. This would otherwise ruin the whitening process. Sit back, relax, or get on with your day until the time comes to remove them.
- There are no particular food restrictions following the removal of the strips. The important thing is to avoid eating or drinking during application. What you take the rest of the day won't stop you from whitening your teeth.
- Keep in mind that there are different types of whitening strips. For example, there are some that need to be worn for a full hour. Read the instructions on the package to find out more.
Step 2. Apply the strips up to twice a day to speed up teeth whitening
The whitening strips should be used every day. In general, you don't need to use more than a couple a day, but you can if you want. In this case, you can apply the second pair after removing the first. Wear it for 30 minutes before removing it.
- Read the recommendations on the packaging to find out how often you can use them. If in doubt, once a day is more than enough.
- Using the strips several times a day could increase dental sensitivity. This means that you may feel mild discomfort when consuming cold or hot drinks. Do not try to use more than two pairs of strips per day.
Step 3. To complete the treatment, apply a couple of new strips a day
Repeat the application for 20 consecutive days. Discard the used strips after you peel them off your teeth. Since they no longer have any traces of hydrogen peroxide (aka the bleaching agent), you should use a new pair every day. Your teeth will likely turn whiter in about three days. Carry out the treatment for 20 days to make the most of its benefits and show off a whiter smile.
Recommended usage varies by product, so be sure to read the instructions. For example, strips that are applied for an hour work a little faster, so they are typically used for only seven days
Part 3 of 3: Remove and Reapply the Strips
Step 1. Detach the used strips by lifting them up with your finger
Look for the edge of each strip between the gums and teeth. If you try to gently scratch your teeth with a fingernail, the edges will be easy to spot. Once you find the edge, lift it up and peel it off. This will also detach the rest of the strip.
The strips are very similar to patches. Since they don't break, you don't have to worry about bits of bits remaining on your teeth. They also have another positive feature: unlike the patches, they don't hurt at all
Step 2. Rinse or brush your teeth to remove any sticky residue left by the strips after removal
The strips leave a slimy substance on the teeth, but it's a small price to pay for a beautiful smile. In fact, it is precisely the gel that allows them to be fixed. If you prefer to freshen your mouth, brush your teeth as usual. If not, rinse with water until your teeth feel clean.
Alternatively, you can remove the gel from your teeth with the help of a cloth or tissue. You could also let it dissolve naturally. However, while it is not harmful, it may be a bit bothering to leave it on your teeth for longer than necessary
Step 3. Repeat the full treatment after about a year, when the whitening effect has worn off
Unfortunately, whitening treatments are not permanent. If you want your teeth to stay white, you will need to repeat the process. Although the results tend to last for about a year, it also depends a lot on what you eat and drink. Teeth may turn yellow earlier.
Coffee, tea, red wine, and dark colored fizzy drinks are all products that stain your teeth very easily. If you consume them often, you may need to use the whitening strips again before a year has passed. Smoking also stains your teeth prematurely
Advice
- Although whitening strips are generally safe, talk to your dentist to find out what they recommend and to take care of your oral hygiene.
- For best results, check the expiration date before using the strips. The expired ones are not as effective as the new ones.
- Always read the recommendations on the package for more specific instructions. There are several types of whitening strips, so the exact steps may vary slightly.
- The whitening strips work on real teeth, but not on artificial ones, including fillings, capsules and dental prostheses.
- When saliva reacts on contact with hydrogen peroxide, foam forms. This is normal and absolutely not harmful, so wipe it off with a cloth and spit out the excess saliva.
- Ingesting some hydrogen peroxide is not harmful. Unless you ingest the strips, you will not have to worry about the substances that will be introduced into the oral cavity during this treatment.
