Cosmetic Dentistry

Do Whitestrips Work?

If you have visited the toothpaste aisle at your Lehi grocery store, you have probably noticed dozens of products that claim to whiten your teeth.

If you have visited the toothpaste aisle at your Lehi grocery store, you have probably noticed dozens of products that claim to whiten your teeth. A few years ago, the only over-the-counter tooth whitening options in American Fork were whitening toothpastes and Crest Whitestrips. Now there is a wide variety of products at every drugstore counter in the area.Whitening RinsesWhitening rinses are similar to mouthwashes. They kill bacteria, freshen your breath, and may help remove plaque. Whitening rinses, however, contain tooth-whitening ingredients not found in mouthwashes. Product directions instruct users to take a mouthful and slosh it around on their teeth. Though this method is manageable, many users never notice a lightening of their teeth. This is probably because the rinse does not touch your teeth long enough to truly whiten them.Whitening StripsThe whitening strips you can buy in grocery stores have a couple of drawbacks. Though they contain a bleaching agent, it is much less potent than those used in dental offices. Another issue is that they do not whiten between teeth because the strips only touch the front surface. Though it is possible to remove stains, it can take months to see any whitening. By that point, you have probably spent more money than you would have if you had chosen the professional system at your dental practice.Teeth Whitening GelsWhitening gels are painted onto teeth with a small brush. One problem with whitening gels is that they only stick to dry teeth. If any saliva gets on the teeth during treatment, the gel is more likely to slide off.If you are serious about dramatically whitening your teeth, the safest, quickest, and most affordable system is at your dental office.