Americans spend billions of dollars each year on products to whiten their teeth, including whitening strips. While these products can be a convenient and affordable way to remove stains and whiten teeth, it's important to note that overuse of these products can cause tooth sensitivity over time and permanently damage your tooth enamel and the surface underneath. The main ingredients used in Crest Whitestrips, such as PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) and carbomer, are generally quite safe and non-toxic. However, the problem with Whitestrips is that the whitening gel is not properly sealed from the gum tissue like a custom whitening tray does.
This can lead to irritation of the gums and damage to the enamel. Home whitening strips contain lower concentrations of whitening ingredients than products supplied by the dentist. Therefore, it's important to use them sparingly in order to avoid potential tooth damage and sensitivity. I recommend using custom whitening trays, which are tailor-made to fit your teeth perfectly and seal the whitening gel evenly on your teeth.
The main benefit of using teeth whitening strips is that they are less expensive than other teeth whitening treatments. However, if you use whitening strips that contain chlorine dioxide, you could destroy your tooth enamel. For best results, I recommend using your dentist's custom whitening trays and a professional whitening gel.