Are Over the Counter Whitening Strips Bad for Your Teeth?

    MAIN LINE, PA, August 15, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Over the counter teeth whitening strips may be more harmful to your teeth than other teeth whitening options. The dangers of whitening strips are inherent in their design. Whitening strips:

- Cannot penetrate deeply, requiring more frequent usage

- Do not hold the bleaching solution to your teeth, resulting in significant amounts of solution being washed away by saliva

Because they rely on acids to lift stains and must be used with greater frequency to obtain and maintain results, over the counter whitening strips are perhaps the least ideal teeth whitening option available today.

At-Home Teeth Whitening Alternatives

There are a number of take-home kits available at retail stores. Any of these will be a better option than whitening strips. However, for the best results, you should see your dentist for a professional take-home teeth whitening solution.

Store-bought kits do not come with customized application trays. Due to this, the results offered by store-bought kits are often inconsistent and unreliable. What's more, without a tray that holds the bleaching solution snugly to the unique formations of your teeth, excess solution can easily leak out, come into contact with gums, and produce extreme tooth sensitivity.

By contrast, professional take-home kits come with application trays that have been molded to your teeth. This allows each tooth to be precisely whitened and also helps avoid contact with gums and sensitive oral tissues. Only a take-home kit from your dentist can offer you consistent results and the most comfortable whitening experience possible.

Tooth whitening is safe if done responsibly. The best way to ensure safety and good looking results is to whiten your teeth under the care of a professional. For the brightest smile possible, talk to your dentist about the best teeth whitening option for you.

For more information on your tooth whitening options in or around Main Line, Pennsylvania, please visit the website of experienced cosmetic dentist Lindsey Marshall, DMD at www.lindseymarshall.com.

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