Teeth whitening patches are small plastic patches that have hydrogen peroxide gel on one side and can be adhered to your teeth. While most whitening strips are safe and easy to use, there are some important things to keep in mind when using them on your teeth. Listed below are some ways to use whitening strips.

Use Dental Strips

Reading the instructions on the box carefully will give you an idea of what to do.

• Each brand has specific instructions for the use of dental strips, so be sure to strictly follow these instructions to avoid damaging your teeth.

Peel the veneer off the plastic film and stick it on your upper teeth, which are usually more visible, especially when you smile.

• Some brands have different sizes for upper and lower teeth. Make sure that the strips you use on your upper teeth are larger, as upper teeth are generally wider and larger than lower teeth.

When peeling off the dental veneer from the hard plastic film. Be careful not to touch the gel side, otherwise the gel may fall off.

• Gently pull the strip outward so that it stays flat while you apply it. Think about how you apply a Band-Aid. You don’t want them to stick together or clump together, as that will reduce the area they can cover.

Attach the gel side of the strip to the surface of the straightened tooth. Try to flatten it so it rests snugly against your teeth.

• Applying dental veneers requires skill and is sometimes difficult to apply properly. Use the bristle part of the toothbrush to flatten the raised areas of the toothpaste to avoid uneven whitening.

Repeat this step on the lower teeth. Make sure you have small veneers on your lower teeth.

• If you want more coverage of your lower teeth, try upper teeth veneers. Keep in mind that if you do this, your upper veneers will wear out sooner than your lower veneers, and using lower veneers to secure your upper teeth will not whiten all of your upper teeth.

The usage time of toothpaste should be according to the regulations. This time is usually written on the packaging box.

• Make sure the gel is fully released and absorbed into your tooth enamel. Try not to talk or move your mouth so that the strips do not wrinkle or fall off.
• To prevent the gel from entering your mouth, move your tongue as little as possible. Use your tongue to create a barrier in the middle of your mouth and give your teeth something to lean on.
• Do not leave strips on your teeth longer than recommended. Most brands recommend leaving it on for 30 minutes. Leaving dental strips on your teeth for longer than recommended can cause tooth sensitivity or gum inflammation.

Remove the strips from the teeth. Wash your hands, grab the strip with two fingers, and pull it off. This may take some effort.

• After washing your hands, wait until the water on your hands is completely dry. Because dental strips become moist due to the breakdown of saliva or gel, it is easier to peel them off with dry hands.

Spit out any excess gel. Remove as much gel as possible from the teeth.

• Many teeth whitening strips contain harmful chemicals that can be dangerous if you swallow a lot.
• You can brush your teeth immediately after removing excess gel.

Repeat this process on consecutive days. Occasionally applying toothpaste will not produce direct and obvious results.

• Some brands say results can be seen in as little as three days. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see your teeth sparkling right away, remember that whitening is a gradual process.
• Remember to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth after using the dental strips. If you want to have beautiful teeth, toothpaste can only serve as a supplement and cannot replace brushing.

Things to Avoid

Buy chlorine-dioxide-free dental strips. Chlorine dioxide is a cleaning agent, but it is acidic and can corrode your tooth enamel.

• Chlorine dioxide is the same acid used to disinfect swimming pools. They whiten your teeth by eating away at your tooth enamel, and while this may be aesthetically pleasing, it also increases your chances of getting cavities.

Don’t eat acidic foods right after you whiten your teeth. This is important to remember, especially after you use strips that contain chlorine dioxide.

• Don’t eat fruit or drink soda. They are highly acidic, and eating them after you brush your teeth or wear dental veneers will accelerate the erosion of tooth enamel.
• Stay away from coffee and alcohol. These substances can turn your teeth yellow and create stains that are difficult to remove. Don’t smoke either because smoke can darken your teeth and create stains that even dental strips cannot remove.

Try not to leave the strips on your teeth longer than recommended. Otherwise, your teeth will become very sensitive to hot and cold foods, and your gums will easily get irritated.

• Chemicals not only erode tooth enamel but can also damage gum tissue. If you use too much gel, your gums may not only become irritated but may also become inflamed.
• Even if some strips don’t contain caustic chemicals, they can still cause damage to your teeth. Although the damage is not permanent, it can still cause you pain.
• If you notice that your gums are sensitive or red and swollen, and your teeth are very painful, see your dentist. Do not wear veneers unless you have your dentist’s approval.

Be sure not to eat those gels. Remember, even the chemicals in toothpaste can be harmful if ingested into the body.

• Most dental strips contain toxic hydrogen peroxide, but if you only swallow a little, don’t worry. Hydrogen peroxide is only dangerous if you swallow large amounts. However, be aware that swallowing hydrogen dioxide can cause stomach discomfort, and overdose can even be fatal.

Supplements Whitening Patches

Use whitening toothpaste and mouthwash. Some whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes have special whitening properties compared to other toothpastes and mouthwashes.

• After each meal or before applying dental veneers, brush your teeth as usual. Brush your teeth at least twice a day to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Remember, preventing cavities can make your teeth healthier and shine brighter.

Foods like strawberries are particularly nutritious and good for your teeth.

• Strawberries contain vitamin C and a substance called malic acid (which can often be found in some toothpaste products). Malic acid can help remove stains from the surface of teeth, while vitamin C can rinse away plaque.
• A more extreme but safe option is to mash up strawberries and use them to brush your teeth once or twice a week.

Brush your teeth with baking soda or lemon juice. They can be used individually, but are even more effective when mixed.

• Baking soda mixed with citrus and lemon can cause a chemical reaction to make teeth brighter. Squeeze a few drops of lemon juice into the bowl, sprinkle a handful of baking soda, and stir briefly to create a mixture. Use cotton swabs to remove saliva and plaque from your teeth before using them. Use your toothbrush to apply the mixture to your teeth and wait a minute before rinsing it off. Never leave it for longer than a minute to prevent tooth erosion.
• Use baking soda and lemon only once a week. Because if used too frequently, it will also damage tooth enamel and have the opposite effect on the teeth. Remember, while lemon is helpful, it is also acidic, which can also cause your teeth to wear down faster.
• If you notice that your gums are irritated, stop immediately and wash them off. Baking soda may be too harsh on your teeth.

Rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide. Not only does it whiten your teeth, but it also helps with dental health.

• Hold the hydrogen peroxide in your mouth, rinse it for ten seconds, spit it out, and then clean your teeth. You can also use a 50% to 50% water solution, that is, rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide for 60 seconds, and then rinse your mouth with water for 60 seconds.
• Hydrogen peroxide prevents the growth of bacteria and bacterial infections, as well as preventing bad breath. So even if you don’t get a set of white teeth, you can still have good oral hygiene, which is the basis for other aesthetic treatments.

Tips

• Whitening your teeth with teeth whitening strips will take you more than a day, so remember to be patient.
• If you can’t stick to the entire whitening process, don’t worry, this is normal, take your time until you can stick to it.
• Do not leave the whitening strips on longer than recommended on the box. Otherwise, the teeth will be damaged.