The Nest

Wednesday, September 26, 2007 2:50 PM

How often is it ok to use whitening strips?

The amount of time you use strips depends on the manufacturer; different brands contain different concentrations of bleaching agents. But you really should follow the directions on the box and consult your dentist. Maybe you have unrealistic expectations? Overuse is not going to make your teeth to sparkle. Your oral hygiene, the natural color of your teeth and the foods you eat all affect how well the strips work and how long the results last. It varies from person to person.  If you can’t stand drinking coffee through a straw and swearing off tomato sauce, strips won’t do much for your mouths. You’re not going to cause damage with too much stripping (ha!) but you will continue to make your teeth really sensitive to hot and cold foods and even air (a quick mouth-open inhale post strip makes us wince!).  We bet your teeth have a nice natural white look after the recommended use so try and wean yourselves.