Using Whitening Strips For The First Time? Follow These Tips:
Posted on: 23 July 2017
If your teeth have been looking a bit yellowed and discolored lately, then whitening strips may allow you to achieve the whiter, brighter smile you desire. You can typically find these strips in the pharmacy or even your grocery store. They only cost a few dollars -- and a box has enough to treat your teeth for a few weeks or months. Using whitening strips for the first time can be a bit intimidating, but the tips below will help guide you:
Only use them for as long as directed.
Some people assume that the longer they leave the strips on, the better the results will be. However, whitening strips can cause problems like tooth sensitivity and uneven results if you leave them on for longer than is recommended on the package. Don't panic if your teeth are not as white as you want after one session with the strips. This does not mean you need to leave them on longer next time -- just that you need a few repeat sessions to get more dramatic results.
Be careful not to push the strips against your gums.
While the bleaching material in the strips is rather safe, it is intended to be placed against your teeth only -- not your gums. If it sits along your gums for too long, you may end up with some soreness. So, be very careful when putting the strips on that you set them precisely along the edge of your teeth and not up over your gums.
Don't eat or drink after using the strips.
After you use the strips, your tooth enamel will be a bit more porous and likely to accumulate additional stains. This is why the package will generally recommend that you avoid eating and drinking for an hour -- or sometimes even longer -- after you use your strips. If you think you'll be tempted to eat too soon after using the strips, try using them right before you go to bed in the evening
Keep in mind that teeth whitening strips, while effective, will only whiten your teeth by several shades. If your teeth are badly stained or you would like them whiter than what you achieve with the strips, talk to your dentist about in-office whitening procedures. These procedures use whitening agents that are stronger than those found in the whitening strips, which can leave your teeth dramatically white and sparkling.
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