The Truth About Teeth Whitening Strips: Do They Really Work?
A majority of Americans feel insecure about their smiles, with teeth discoloration being one of the biggest factors. It’s no surprise that many turn to solutions like whitening strips to brighten their teeth. But do teeth whitening strips work as well as they claim?
Here at Justice Dental in Lexington, KY, we specialize in cosmetic dentistry and offer professional teeth whitening services that deliver dramatic, lasting results. In this blog post, we’ll explore the effectiveness of whitening strips, compare them with our in-office treatments, and help you decide which option is best for achieving a brighter, more confident smile.
What Are Teeth Whitening Strips?
Teeth whitening strips are a popular and easy-to-use option for brightening your smile. These thin, flexible strips are coated with a gel containing a whitening agent, typically hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The strips are designed to conform to the shape of your teeth, allowing the gel to come into contact with the tooth surface.
To use them, you simply apply the strips to your teeth and leave them on for a specified amount of time, usually between 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the brand and product instructions. Most whitening strip kits require daily use for about one to two weeks to see noticeable results.
Here at Justice Dental, we offer whitening strips for home use. These strips provide a convenient way to a whiter smile at home, making them a great option for maintaining results between professional whitening treatments. While effective, the results may vary based on the level of staining and individual use.
Do Teeth Whitening Strips Work?
Teeth whitening strips are designed to lighten your teeth by removing surface stains from foods, drinks, and other lifestyle factors like smoking. They can be effective in making your teeth appear brighter, especially for mild discoloration caused by everyday staining agents like:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Wine
When used as directed, many people notice a difference in the shade of their teeth after completing a full course of treatment. However, the results from whitening strips can vary depending on the severity of the staining and how consistently the strips are used.
They tend to work best for those with mild to moderate discoloration. For deeper stains or more dramatic results, professional whitening treatments may be necessary.
At Justice Dental, we recommend using whitening strips as part of a broader teeth whitening plan, which can include professional treatments for more significant improvements. Whitening strips can be a good starting point or a way to maintain your smile after a professional procedure.
Whitening Strips vs Professional Teeth Whitening
When comparing whitening strips to professional teeth whitening treatments, several differences stand out. Whitening strips can be effective for surface stains, but they often struggle with more severe discoloration. At Justice Dental, our professional treatments can lighten teeth by up to eight shades, offering more dramatic and consistent results.
Safety is another consideration. Whitening strips, if overused or applied incorrectly, can lead to tooth sensitivity or gum irritation. Our professional treatments are carefully supervised by our experienced team, ensuring your comfort and minimizing any risks.
Customization is a key advantage of professional whitening. We offer tailored treatments, including custom-fitted trays for home use and in-office procedures for immediate results. While whitening strips are a more generic, one-size-fits-all solution, our at-home offerings, including strips, provide a convenient way to maintain your smile between professional treatments.
Finally, it’s important to consider time and convenience. Whitening strips require daily use over several weeks, whereas our in-office treatments deliver noticeable results in just one visit. For those seeking a quick, reliable solution, professional teeth whitening offers a more efficient path to a brighter smile, with at-home options available for ongoing maintenance.
Who Should Use Whitening Strips?
Whitening strips can be a good option for certain individuals, particularly those with mild to moderate surface stains caused by:
- Foods
- Drinks
- Smoking
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, convenient way to brighten your smile at home, whitening strips might be worth considering. They are especially useful for those who want to maintain the results of a previous professional whitening treatment.
However, whitening strips may not be ideal for everyone. If you have deeper stains or more severe discoloration, you may find the results from strips less noticeable. In such cases, professional whitening treatments at Justice Dental could be more effective.
Additionally, if you have sensitive teeth or gums, you should use whitening strips cautiously. Some people experience increased sensitivity with over-the-counter products.
Our team at Justice Dental can guide you on the best approach to whitening, whether that includes using strips as part of an at-home regimen or opting for in-office treatments for more significant results.
What to Expect from Teeth Whitening at Justice Dental
When you choose teeth whitening at Justice Dental, you can expect a personalized and effective treatment experience. The process begins with a consultation where we assess your teeth and discuss your goals.
This allows us to determine the best whitening approach for your specific needs, whether it’s an in-office treatment for immediate results or custom-fitted trays for at-home use.
During the in-office procedure, our skilled team applies a professional-grade whitening gel to your teeth, which is activated under special lighting. This process can lighten your teeth by several shades in just one visit, providing you with a noticeably brighter smile before you leave the office.
For those who prefer to whiten their teeth at home, we offer strips as well as customized trays that fit your teeth perfectly. The results from our at-home kits are more predictable and effective compared to over-the-counter options.
Effective Teeth Whitening in Lexington, KY
So, do teeth whitening strips work? Well, while they can improve your smile to some extent, professional treatments offer more reliable and dramatic results. At Justice Dental, we provide both advanced in-office whitening and high-quality at-home kits, including whitening strips, to suit your needs.
Our expert team in Lexington, KY, is committed to helping you achieve a brighter smile with solutions tailored to your lifestyle. Whether you opt for professional treatments or our convenient at-home options, we ensure you get the best possible results. Schedule an appointment with us today and discover how we can enhance your smile and oral hygiene.
How to Prevent Gum Recession With These 7 Tips
Almost half of the adults in the US have gum disease. About 9% have mild gum disease, 30% have moderate disease, and 8.5% have severe disease. That’s nearly 65 million adults with a receding gum line!
Gum disease, or gingivitis, can cause pain and bloody gums. Without treatment, gingivitis could develop into periodontitis. The pockets of space between your teeth could become more pronounced.
In addition to receding gums, you might notice your teeth are becoming loose. You might even lose a tooth without preventative action.
Here are the seven tips that can help! With these tips and a dentist Lexington, KY residents trust, you won’t have to worry. Protect your gum line and teeth with these preventative measures today!
1. Brush and Floss Properly
First, it’s important to maintain proper oral hygiene. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy can help you avoid gingivitis altogether.
Otherwise, bacteria will mix with food particles in your mouth. Bacteria can cause plaque to form against the surface of your teeth. Plaque is a sticky substance you can clean away by brushing.
When left unattended, plaque can harden into tartar. You can’t clean tartar away by brushing. Instead, you’ll need to visit a dentist Lexington KY patients trust.
Follow the American Dental Association’s (ADA’s) guidelines:
- Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristle toothbrush
- Replace your brush every 3 to 4 months (sooner if the bristle fray)
- Brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums
- Press gently, moving the brush in short strokes
- Clean the inside of your teeth by brushing vertically, using short strokes
It’s important to choose the right toothpaste, too. Your toothpaste should contain fluoride.
Fluoride can strengthen your enamel (the outer layer of your teeth). It’s used to help prevent cavities. Fluoride also slows down the loss of minerals from your tooth enamel.
It can prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and prevent early signs of tooth decay as well.
Otherwise, your enamel could weaken over time. Your teeth will become more vulnerable to bacteria, which can lead to gingivitis and cavities.
Look for products that feature the ADA seal of approval. You can also talk to your dentist in Lexington about the best products to use.
Don’t forget to floss every day, too! Flossing helps remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth and gums. Remember, leaving plaque unattended leads to tartar.
Tartar can increase your chances of gum disease.
2. Rinse and Use Mouthwash
Take the time to rinse your mouth out with care. Make sure to rinse after brushing and flossing. You should use rinsing to replace your oral hygiene routine.
When you rinse your mouth with water after brushing with fluoride toothpaste, you’ll rinse the fluoride away.
Instead, use a therapeutic or cosmetic mouthwash.
Therapeutic mouthwashes can help prevent gum disease. They can also reduce how quickly plaque and tartar build-up. You can minimize how much plaque builds against your teeth.
Meanwhile, rinsing with a mouthwash can remove food particles from your mouth as well.
Look for mouthwashes with the ADA seal to ensure the product is safe and effective.
3. Schedule Regular Checkups
Look for a dentist Lexington, KY patients know and trust. Make sure to schedule regular dental checkups and professional cleanings.
Checkups will ensure your dentist catches any issues right away. A professional cleaning will help remove tartar from your teeth, too. You can reduce your risk of gingivitis and receding gums as a result.
Your dentist will catch any early signs of gum disease and gingivitis, which could include:
- Gums that bleed when your brush
- Tender, swollen, or red gums
- Receding gums
- Bad breath
- A bad taste
- Formation of deep pockets between the gums and teeth
- Changes in how your teeth fit together
- Loose or shifting teeth
Your gums can recede for other reasons, including:
- Genes
- Aggressive tooth brushing
- Insufficient dental care
- Hormonal changes
- Tobacco products
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- A misaligned bite or crooked teeth
- Body piercings to the tongue or lip
Detecting gum disease early can help you avoid more severe issues down the road.
4. Stop Smoking
Smoking weakens the immune system. You might become more susceptible to gum disease and receding gums if you’re a smoker.
Try to quit smoking as soon as possible. Quitting could reduce your risk of developing gum disease.
If you’ve already developed gingivitis, talk to a cosmetic dentist in Lexington, KY. They can help you determine the best course of action moving forward. Your Lexington dentist can help you explore different treatments to repair your receding gums.
5. Improve Your Diet
Different foods can impact your gum health as well.
Try to avoid foods that could hurt your gums, including:
- Carbonated soft drinks
- Starchy foods
- Sticky candies and sweets
- Alcohol
In the meantime, consider adding healthier foods to your diet. For example, sugar-free gum can increase saliva production. Saliva helps wash away plaque and food particles.
Dairy products like cheese, yogurt, and milk can boost saliva production, too.
Otherwise, drink green and black teas. These beverages can reduce harmful bacteria.
Look for foods that contain fluoride, including water and some seafood or poultry products. High-fiber fruits and vegetables can clean your mouth, too.
6. Minimize Risk Factors
Try to avoid risk factors that could increase your chances of gum disease. These include:
- Taking certain medications
- Age
- Genetics
- Stress
- Teeth grinding
- Poor nutrition
- Obesity
- Smoking and tobacco use
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
For example, periodontitis increases with age. About 70% of adults 65 years and older have periodontal disease.
7. Speak With a Dentist
It’s also important to know when it’s time to visit a family dentist in Lexington, KY.
First, pay attention to your gums. Do they look red or swollen? If you experience pain or bleeding for over a week, let your dentist know.
You might experience sensitivity or pain when chewing, too.
If these symptoms sound familiar, talk with your Lexington dentist right away.
Find a Trusted Dentist in Lexington, KY
Don’t let your receding gum line get worse. Instead, know when to call a dentist Lexington, KY patients rely on. By visiting your Lexington dentist, you can repair the damage before it gets worse.
Need to schedule a dentist right away? We’re here to help.
Contact your Lexington dentist to schedule your next appointment.
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Instead of purchasing generic mouthguards from a store when your child is about to begin practicing for their contact sports, consider having one custom created by Justice Dental. Studies confirm that your child’s risk of a sports related concussion can be significantly reduced with the use of a custom made mouthguard from your Lexington, Kentucky dentist.
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What is Gingivitis?
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Healthy Food, Healthy Teeth
For healthy smiles, the basics are still tried and true: brush twice daily, floss regularly, and come see your highly talented Lexington dentist at Justice Dental at least twice a year for checkups. While these are the best protection against gum problems and tooth decay, there are also foods which can help keep gums happy, and your smile healthy. However, keep in mind that you shouldn’t rely on these foods alone to keep your teeth strong – think of them more as a helpful boost to an already healthy oral routine.
Spreading Free Smiles Across Lexington
Pearson Justice Dental will host Dentistry From The Heart – providing those in
need with free dental care on Saturday, August 16, 2014.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lexington, KY – August 2014–Pearson Justice Dental will host it’s second annual Dentistry From The Heart (DFTH) event – an event providing a day of free dental care to those in need, ages 18 and older.
It is anticipated that Dentistry From The Heart patients will travel from all across Kentucky to Pearson Justice Dental for this free day of dentistry, taking place from 9:00am until 4:00pm on Saturday, August 16th. The line may begin as early as the night before, and patients have been known to camp out for the services that will be provided.
In 2001, Dentistry From The Heart started with New Port Richey dentist, Dr. Vincent Monticciolo, as a way to give back to the community and provide aid to the growing number of Americans without dental insurance. Since its inception, Dentistry From The Heart has grown to include over 200 annual events worldwide. It is a registered non-profit organization that provides free dental work for those in need, and these events have provided more than 80,000 patients across the country with more than $8 million of free dentistry.
Pearson Justice Dental along with a team of dentists, volunteers, and sponsors will provide patients with a free extraction, filling, or cleaning on a first come, first serve basis. This is the second DFTH event for Pearson Justice Dental.
“It all comes down to wanting to provide something greater to my community,” said Dr. Laura Justice. “The services provided by Dentistry From The Heart help more than just a patient’s teeth, they give them a renewed reason to smile.”
The media is invited to join the hundreds of volunteers, patients, and Pearson Justice Dental on Saturday, August 16th to spread free smiles across Lexington through Dentistry From The Heart, located at 3285 Blazer Parkway. For more information about the event, please visit www.dentistryfromtheheart.org or www.JusticeDental.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Lauren Elliott
859-303-9539 | lauren@justicedental.com