Today, there are many ways to whiten teeth at home: from folk methods using baking soda or lemon juice to gels that are activated by exposure to UV lamps. But the most popular are whitening strips, because... it's fast, convenient, inexpensive and harmless.
Everyone dreams of a Hollywood smile. Owners of slender, dazzling white teeth attract attention and instantly invite communication. But what does this concept actually include? What steps are necessary to form a beautiful smile line?
The very first thing is to correct the bite: even the slightest deviation of any tooth from an even position spoils the overall impression. In more complex cases associated with an unsightly shape, advanced caries, mechanical damage, restorations, implantations, prostheses, as well as veneers, lumineers and ultraneers, which are very popular today, come to the rescue. And the most important stage is bleaching. Unlike the first two situations, which require a visit to a professional dental office, the latter is quite feasible at home.
When choosing a product of this type for the first time, you should understand how the products differ from each other and whether they are effective at all. Conventionally, whitening strips can be divided into 2 categories:
- With hydrogen peroxide.
The most effective, but unsuitable for sensitive teeth, because... may cause pain. - No hydrogen peroxide.
More gentle formulas that include natural brighteners (for example, activated carbon, oils and vitamins). But the effectiveness of such products is noticeably lower than that of previous ones.
You should not expect instant results from the strips after the first use. They all differ in speed and duration of action. You need to leave them on your teeth from 10 minutes to 6-8 hours, so before use you should definitely read the instructions, because... It is also undesirable to overexpose the strips. The course can last from 5 to 20 days. And to consolidate the result, manufacturers often advise using toothpastes and mouthwashes from the same line.
How to use the strips:
- Rinse your mouth and blot your teeth with a paper towel.
- Separate the strip from the protective membrane.
- Apply an adhesive layer to the teeth and smooth it, pressing it to the surface as much as possible. It is important not to get the whitening gel on your gums, otherwise you may risk getting a chemical burn.
- Wait the time specified by the manufacturer and remove the strips, or wait until they are completely dissolved, depending on the type of product. Drinking water, swallowing saliva or talking at this moment is not recommended.
- Rinse your mouth to remove any remaining gel and use a brush if necessary.
The procedure must be repeated daily throughout the course. If all the rules are fully followed, within a few days you will notice a lightening of the enamel by 1-2 tones. It is advisable to consult your dentist before use.
Introducing the ranking of 2022 teeth whitening strips. 11 best products that were selected by our experts based on consumer reviews and ratings.
There are contraindications, be sure to consult your doctor!
Rating (2020) | Prices, ₽ | A country |
1. Crest Supreme Professional Whitening | from 3300₽ | USA |
2. Blend-a-med 3D White Luxe | from 3000₽ | USA |
3. My Brilliant Smile based on activated carbon | from 2400₽ | USA |
4. Crest 3D White Glamorous White | from 3300₽ | USA |
5. BlanX O₃X Flash White Stripes The Power of Oxygen | from 2000₽ | Italy |
6. Megami White Xtreme 3D PRO for sensitive teeth | from 1900₽ | Japan |
7. On White Stripes Kit | from 1400₽ | Russia |
8. Bright Light 3D Bright Night Effects | from 1500₽ | China |
9. Global White Charcoal | from 700₽ | China |
10. Shomi Time White Express | from 1000₽ | China |
11. White Glo Bright Light | from 800₽ | Australia |
Features of use and warnings
Judging by most reviews, 3D-White whitening strips make your teeth truly snow-white. However, there are other responses in which people write about the uselessness of this remedy. To get the expected effect, it is important to observe a number of points:
- during the period of using the plates, you need to brush your teeth with a special toothpaste;
- after removing the lightening strips, it is necessary to completely eliminate the impact on tooth enamel of coloring pigments contained in black tea, coffee, cocoa, beets and other products;
- give up cigarettes - tobacco tars also contain reagents that can affect the color of teeth.
In addition, you need to take into account that after removing the lightening plates, tooth sensitivity often increases. It is possible that during the first 24 hours after the procedure the patient will react painfully to cold and hot drinks and dishes. After bleaching, it is advisable to consume moderately warm foods.
You also need to control the process of swallowing saliva while wearing 3D-White teeth whitening strips. According to patients, intestinal upset is a common occurrence. This side effect occurs because the reagents (the active components in the lightening gel) have a laxative property.
Comparison table of characteristics
In order to compare the presented products, we recommend that you study the table with characteristics in the article below.
Model | Duration of procedure (min) | Course duration (days) | Whitening tone | Price, rub) |
Crest 3D White Gentle Routine | 30 | 14 | 1-2 | from 3190 to 5600 |
Crest 3D White Glamorous White | 30 | 14 | 4 | from 3590 to 5780 |
Crest 3D White Professional Effects | 30 | 20 | 5 | from 4700 to 6800 |
Crest 3D White Supreme FlexFit | 60 | 21 | 5 | from 2399 to 4500 |
Crest Supreme Professional Whitening | 30 | 21 | 6-7 | from 5990 to 7800 |
Crest 3D White Classic Vivid | 30 | 10 | 2-3 | from 2590 to 3690 |
Crest 3D White With Light | 60 | 10 | 8 | from 6290 to 8700 |
Global White Charcoal | 30 | 7 | 3 | from 799 to 1200 |
Blend-a-med 3D White Luxe | 30 | 7 | 5-6 | from 2600 to 3010 |
My Brilliant Smile based on activated carbon and coconut oil | 30 | 7 | 10 | from 2350 to 4000 |
Best lists
When choosing whitening strips, you must be guided by individual requirements depending on the type and sensitivity of tooth enamel. The cost of these products is also important. Our additional list includes strips classified according to the following parameters:
- budget.
- gentle whitening.
- the most effective product.
Budget price
One of the cheapest products in question is Global White - teeth whitening strips in 14 days. There are 28 pieces in the package. Designed for two weeks. They are made of thin and flexible material. By filling the strips with whitening oxygen gel and applying them to your teeth, you can ensure good whitening. The strips accurately follow the anatomical structure of the teeth. When worn, they do not interfere or create discomfort. The cost varies from 800 to 1200 rubles, which is cheaper than other analogues.
teeth strips Global White
Gentle whitening
For those with sensitive teeth, as well as for customers suffering from dental hypertension, the Crestal Bright White model has been developed. The whitening process takes two weeks. The strips are fixed on the teeth very securely; they do not interfere with use and do not create discomfort. The estimated cost of such strips is 1150 rubles.
dental strips Crestal Bright White
The most effective
Considering whitening dental strips, we will highlight two brands with the best whitening effectiveness:
- Blend-a-med 3DWhite Luxe. Whitens in seven tones. This indicator can be considered the most effective. The peroxide content is 5%, which allows the product of this brand to be used by people with hypersensitive enamel. The estimated cost is 3640 rubles.
teeth strips Blend-a-med 3DWhite Luxe
- Rembrandt Intense Dissolving Strips. The product of this brand provides not only effective whitening, but also contains antibacterial substances that prevent the further occurrence of plaque, tartar and pigmentation with food dyes. The strips freshen the mouth and prevent bad breath. They tend to dissolve under the influence of saliva. The cost of packaging this product is on average 2680 rubles.
Rembrandt Intense Dissolving Strips
Precautionary measures
- Never swallow the gel. Most whitening strips are coated with a chemical composition in which the active ingredient is hydrogen peroxide. It is a highly toxic substance that can cause soft tissue irritation and other problems. Therefore, be careful not to swallow the gel while you are gluing or removing the strips. At the same time, if you accidentally swallowed a small amount of peroxide, do not panic, it will not cause serious consequences (in small quantities).
- Stop the procedure if you feel pain or increased tooth sensitivity. The active substances contained in the whitening composition can cause discomfort in the teeth and gums. This usually happens if you use this whitening method too often or leave the strips on for too long. In addition, troubles can occur if you have caries or your teeth are hypersensitive to the substances that make up the gel. As soon as you notice something wrong, stop using the strips and contact your dentist for advice. A specialist will select more suitable procedures for you and help restore damaged enamel.
- It is advisable that you consult your doctor before you decide to undergo whitening. This cosmetic procedure has a rather serious impact on dental health, which is why it is not suitable for everyone. You may be better off sticking with in-office teeth cleanings.
- It is also advisable to consult a doctor if you decide to switch to strips from another manufacturer. Here you need to find out whether the new product is right for you.
Dental care
- If you want your teeth to be healthy and the whitening effect to last as long as possible, take proper care of your entire oral cavity. This should be done as often as possible, spending sufficient time brushing your teeth.
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day, for about two to three minutes.
- It is important to clean carefully so as not to damage the gums and enamel.
- To make the whitening effect more noticeable, use a special whitening paste, for example, ASEPTA PLUS GENTLE WHITENING. It not only cleanses the surface of pigment, but also prevents increased sensitivity of tooth enamel, and the calamus and eleutherococcus extracts included in the composition promote accelerated gum regeneration, prevent bleeding and inflammation.
- In addition to regular brushing, use mouthwash; it has a good antiseptic effect, which significantly improves the condition of your gums and teeth. The solutions contain natural ingredients that prevent inflammation of soft tissues and reduce sensitivity
- Rinse your teeth for at least 30 seconds, then spit out the liquid.
- If you think the rinse aid is too concentrated, dilute it with water according to the instructions.
- If you want to enhance the effect of the strips, use special whitening rinses.
- Don't give up on flossing. With its help, you can better remove food debris from your teeth, which will reduce the accumulation of soft plaque and reduce the likelihood of tartar formation. The procedure is quite simple:
- Tear off a piece of thread approximately the length of your arm.
- Wrap the ends of the thread around the middle or index fingers of your left and right hands.
- Gently lower the floss into the space between your teeth.
- When it reaches the surface of the gum, wrap the floss around one of your teeth and gently rub it over the surface of the tooth, moving up and down.
- Do this with each tooth.
- Try to exclude coloring drinks and food from your diet during the procedures, otherwise you will not soon notice the effect. Or you risk not getting it at all. Eliminate the following foods from your diet:
- Coffee, tea, wine;
- Colored lemonades;
- Berries: blueberries, blackberries, etc.
- Chocolate;
- Lemons and oranges, as well as other foods with high acidity.
- Visit your dentist regularly.
Sources:
- Report on determining/confirming the preventive properties of toothpaste “ASEPTA PLUS” GENTLE WHITENING” Author: doctor-researcher A.A. Leontyev, head Department of Preventive Dentistry, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor S.B. Ulitovsky First St. Petersburg State Medical University named after. acad. I.P. Pavlova, Department of Preventive Dentistry
- Clinical and laboratory assessment of the influence of domestic therapeutic and prophylactic toothpaste based on plant extracts on the condition of the oral cavity in patients with simple marginal gingivitis. Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Elovikova T.M.1, Candidate of Chemical Sciences, Associate Professor Ermishina E.Yu. 2, Doctor of Technical Sciences Associate Professor Belokonova N.A. 2 Department of Therapeutic Dentistry USMU1, Department of General Chemistry USMU2
- Report on the determination/confirmation of the preventive properties of personal oral hygiene products “ASEPTA PLUS” Remineralization doctor-researcher A.A. Leontyev, head Department of Preventive Dentistry, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor S.B. Ulitovsky First St. Petersburg State Medical University named after. acad. I.P. Pavlova, Department of Preventive Dentistry
- Clinical studies of antisensitive toothpaste “Asepta Sensitive” (A.A. Leontyev, O.V. Kalinina, S.B. Ulitovsky) A.A. LEONTIEV, dentist O.V. KALININA, dentist S.B. ULITOVSKY, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Prof. Department of Therapeutic Dentistry, St. Petersburg State Medical University named after. acad. I.P. Pavlova
- Report on determining/confirming the preventive properties of toothpaste “ASEPTA PLUS” COFFEE and TOBACCO Author: doctor-researcher A.A. Leontyev, head Department of Preventive Dentistry, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor S.B. Ulitovsky. First St. Petersburg State Medical University named after. acad. I.P. Pavlova, Department of Preventive Dentistry
- Report on determining/confirming the preventive properties of commercially produced personal oral hygiene products: Asepta toothpaste used in combination with Asepta mouthwash and Asepta gum balm Head. Department of PFS Doctor of Medical Sciences Professor S.B. Ulitovsky St. Petersburg State Medical University named after Academician I.P. Pavlova. Faculty of Dentistry. Department of Preventive Dentistry.
Alternative to Dental Procedure
Despite the high efficiency of the professional whitening procedure, not everyone can afford it due to its impressive cost. However, in addition to dental procedures, there are other solutions available on a limited budget. We are talking about Crest 3D-White strips. Their use allows you to avoid the mind-boggling expenses of teeth whitening in the clinic, but at the same time achieve an equally worthy result.
Anyone can use such a device; you don’t need to have any special skills for this. 3D-White teeth whitening strips are quite easy to use. All that is required from the buyer is to choose the right product.
For many years, Crest Whitestrips products were sold only in the USA, and they could only be purchased through foreign websites at an incredible price. In addition, the delivery itself took at least a month. Today the strips are sold in any pharmacy. The wide range can confuse someone who decides to try teeth whitening at home for the first time. Today, many types of Crest 3D-White dental strips are available, each of which helps to cope with a problem of varying severity. You need to select the product individually. It is important not to make a mistake with your choice - then the product will meet any expectations.
Whitening toothpastes
All toothpastes remove surface plaque from enamel because they contain mild abrasives. Some toothpastes with whitening properties contain mild polishes or chemical ingredients to provide additional effectiveness in removing plaque and stains. However, with the help of whitening toothpastes, you can only remove surface plaque and lighten your teeth by only one tone, while in a dental office, using professional whitening systems, you can lighten your teeth by 3-7 tones. If the paste contains abrasive particles, you should not use it constantly, as you can injure your tooth enamel.
Popular product line
Today, several types of Crest strips are in demand. They have no fundamental differences from each other, since they contain almost the same substances. The variety of products allows the consumer to find the most suitable product for themselves. Reviews of 3D-White teeth whitening strips often mention products for sensitive teeth and enamel affected by fluorosis. Next, let's get acquainted with the main products of the series and their differences.
Contraindications for bleaching –
The development of allergic reactions to the whitening strips Cross and Blendamed is possible. If you are allergic to any of the components, you must avoid using them. There are also a number of diseases and conditions in which the use of whitening strips will be contraindicated.
Contraindications to whitening strips –
- presence of enamel erosions,
- the presence of areas of enamel demineralization (in the form of white chalky spots),
- the presence of untreated caries,
- with the frequent appearance of new carious lesions,
- the presence of deep wedge-shaped defects with exposure of dentin,
- during pregnancy and breastfeeding,
- for diabetes mellitus,
- You must stop smoking for the entire whitening period.
- with severe degrees of fluorosis, enamel hypoplasia or tetracycline staining,
- in adolescents under 18 years of age (at this age there is still a large volume of pulp chambers, which can lead to a chemical burn of the pulp and the need for tooth depulpation).
Instructions for use
The Crest teeth whitening system is very easy to use:
- Open the package, remove the strip and remove the protective coating from its surface. In this case, it is important to take into account the size of the selected strip: longer ones are intended for placement on the upper row of teeth, shorter ones - on the lower row.
- While in front of a mirror, stick the strips with the gel side on the outer surface of the teeth, align them along the gum line and press. At this stage, it is important to ensure the uniform distribution of the gel on the surface of the teeth and between them.
- Wait 5-30 minutes (time depends on the strip model), then remove them and gently brush your teeth.
Rinse liquids
Whitening liquids are one of the newest products for at-home teeth whitening. Like most mouthwashes, they freshen breath, help reduce plaque, and prevent gum disease. But these products also include ingredients, such as low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, that whiten teeth. Manufacturers claim that to obtain the desired result, it is necessary to use the liquid for 12 months, daily, twice a day before brushing your teeth. However, the rinse may not be as effective as using other whitening products because the whitening liquid only contacts the teeth for a short period of time (only 2 minutes compared to the 30 minutes required for most strips).
Below is a summary of some of the home whitening systems available on the market. The numbers indicating the concentration of the active substance given by manufacturers are not always correct. Sometimes the concentration is exaggerated for marketing purposes.
Whitestrips Vivid
This is the latest variety of 3D-White whitening strips. These plates are suitable for people with any type of teeth. The gel with which the strips are impregnated contains only 10% of the active substance, which explains the gentle effect on the tooth surface. In addition, Whitestrips Vivid contains water to prevent dehydration.
Many who have tried to lighten their teeth with this product are satisfied. It is often emphasized that after a full course of whitening, the enamel remains intact and does not even have the smallest microcracks. Thanks to the use of natural ingredients in the composition, the use of whitening plates does not harm the microflora of the oral cavity.
With the help of such strips, you can whiten your teeth by no more than two shades. The plates must be worn for at least 30 minutes for 10-12 days. The manufacturer recommends taking several courses with weekly breaks. The product from the Crest 3D-White series is the most budget-friendly - its cost in pharmacies is about 2,600 rubles.