The Problems Associated With Using At-Home Whitening Strips For An Extended Period Of Time

If you are looking to whiten your teeth, you may be looking to use at home whitening strips. While these strips can help you to whiten your teeth, they should only be used for the time designated for the product you are using. If you have not achieved the level of whiteness you were hoping to, you may think that there is no harm in using them for a little longer. But there are problems that can develop if you use them for too long. Here are a few of the problems associated with using at home whitening strips for longer than they are intended to be used:

Uneven Whitening

One of the issues that can arise if you begin to use whitening strips for longer than you should is uneven whitening. Whitening strips are designed to lift stains and whiten your teeth. However, if the strips are not applied evenly, they can whiten your teeth unevenly. Additionally, the strips do not always adhere to the teeth fully. As such, the teeth where the strip fully adheres to will whiten faster than a tooth that did not have a strip fully adhered. When you use the strips as designed, the average person can't see the uneven whitening that may occur. But when they are used for a prolonged period of time, the unevenness because more prominent and noticeable. 

Enamel Erosion

Another issue that can arise if you use whitening strips for too long is enamel erosion. Whitening strips contain bleaching agents that can eat away at the enamel on your teeth. This can lead to tooth sensitivity and even darker spots on your teeth. Using the strips only for the time period designed helps to ensure the enamel doesn't erode significantly. 

Gum Problems

The last problem that can occur if you use at home whitening strips for longer than you should is gum problems. The whitening agent on the strips can be harmful to your sensitive gum tissue. If used for too long, you may experience redness or bleeding gums. If you notice these problems or experience pain while wearing the strips, even if you are using them as designed, you should discontinue the use of them on your teeth. 

If you are looking to whiten your teeth, the best option is to use the whitening services offered by a dentist or cosmetic dentist. They can help you achieve your optimal level of white quickly, all while overseeing the process to ensure your teeth or gums are not damaged in the process. Schedule an appointment now to get a brighter, whiter smile for the new year. Check out a website like https://www.mysunshinedentistry.com/ for more information and assistance.