Yes, whitening strips do damage enamel. Your teeth have three layers — enamel, dentin and connective tissue. The dentin layer has a high protein level, including several collagen proteins. Dentin is critical to supporting and strengthening your enamel.
The majority of whitening strips are safe to use; however, if you use whitening strips that contain chlorine dioxide, you could destroy the enamel on your teeth. Chlorine dioxide is the same acid used to disinfect swimming pools. It whitens teeth by eating away the surface of the enamel.
Potential Damage and Tooth Sensitivity
To be on the safer side, use whitening strips in moderation, as overuse will not only cause tooth sensitivity over time, but it will also permanently damage your tooth's enamel and the surface below.
Teeth whitening strips use peroxide to remove stains. So what happens is that the peroxide temporarily increases your enamel's porosity. This allows the peroxide to reach the discolored molecules in your teeth. However, it can be a disadvantage for some people since it creates an avenue for your teeth to be stained.
For the safest and most effective at-home teeth whitening method, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) recommends you use custom-fitted trays supplied by your dentist. Ill-fitting teeth whitening trays can cause the gel to ooze out and irritate your gums.
We all want a white brighter smile. But this begs the question “does teeth whitening damage the enamel?” The answer is no. While there may sometimes be side effects, whitening treatment is safe on tooth enamel. The process of tooth whitening is essentially the tooth will become dehydrated, meaning dried out.
Never use teeth whitening strips before brushing your teeth, but do not use toothpaste at this time. Before you apply white strips, it is critical that you brush your teeth with a wet toothbrush (without fluoridated toothpaste, or without toothpaste at all).
Teeth whitening strips should be applied to the teeth on a daily basis. Do not skip a day! Continue to apply your teeth whitening strips across the entire period of time noted in the instructions. In most cases, teeth whitening strips are meant to be applied every day for at least two full weeks.
Although strips are safe to use in moderation, overdoing it can cause sensitivity and even permanent damage to your teeth. If the layer of enamel is eroded through excessive application of whitening agent, you will not only suffer pains, but risk decay and other problems which in the worst case could end in tooth loss.
Tooth enamel does not grow back, but it can be restored to some degree by remineralization. Using mineralized toothpaste and mouthwash can strengthen your remaining enamel as the minerals will be drawn to the weak spots in your teeth and bond with the surface.
Do NOT brush immediately BEFORE applying strips. To avoid gum irritation, allow for some time to pass after you have brushed your teeth to apply strips.
We recommend that with any form of whitening that teeth are brushed beforehand. This is to ensure that any plaque (this sticky surface layer on your teeth) is removed and that any whitening agent present in the strips or gel gets the closest contact with the teeth.
As the enamel continues to erode, your teeth might turn a gray or yellowish color. If your teeth change shape, it's a good indicator that you have enamel damage. Your teeth may begin to appear rounded, develop ridges, and often the gaps between teeth will become more substantial.
Eat More Enamel-Strengthening Foods
High-calcium foods both neutralize the acid that harms enamel and can help add minerals back into tooth surfaces. As the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests, dairy products are a great calcium source, but many vegetables also are calcium-rich.
Using teeth whitening strips too often or for too long can make the teeth porous and cause the surface enamel to break down. The bleaching agent in whitening strips can cause stress of the tooth surface and surrounding gum tissue.
CAN I WEAR THE WHITESTRIPS LONGER THAN THE INSTRUCTED WEAR TIME? We recommend following Crest's usage instructions for each product. Longer wear time may result in increased tooth sensitivity and/or gum discomfort.
Limit use to just 5 minutes a day. Longer wear time can result in tooth sensitivity. If you are looking for faster whitening results, please try Crest 1 Hour Express + LED Light, See visible results in just 1 hour.
Patients with the following conditions or circumstances may not be the best candidates: Pregnant and lactating women. People who have restorations such as fillings, implants, crowns and dental bridges. Children under 16 years of age.
Try non-acidic foods: Certain foods are good for your enamel. Many types of fruits and vegetables, dairy products such as milk, and foods or drinks containing fluoride – notably spinach, grapes and black tea – will be useful to naturally restore enamel.
Porcelain Veneers
These are very popular amongst celebrities because of their incredible results. Veneers are thin, strong shells that are custom-made from dental porcelain to cover the front surface of your teeth. They can fix small cracks, chips, gaps, and discoloration all at once.
But the Kardashians' go-to teeth whitening device? The Hi Smile Teeth Whitening Kit.
Teeth that have yellowed with age
As we age, the enamel becomes thinner due to wear and tear, revealing the underlying layer of tooth structure called dentin. Dentin is naturally yellowish and cannot be lightened with teeth whitening products.
Consuming Certain Foods and Drinks
Other teeth-staining foods include coffee, citrus fruits and juices, soft drinks, teas, berries, tomato-based sauces, curry, balsamic vinegar, and soy sauce. Ingredients in these foods can seep into your enamel (the outermost covering of your teeth) and cause discoloration.
3. Can I swallow saliva during teeth whitening? Yes, the teeth whitening gel is safe. The by-products when peroxide is broken down is largely oxygen (the byproduct that allows for the whitening process) and water.