Let's face it, we all want white teeth.
Teeth whitening strips are becoming one of the most popular ways to achieve a gleaming white smile and boost our confidence.
But what happens if you accidentally swallow the gel or your saliva while using these strips? In this article, we’ll be answering just that. Whilst it's generally harmless to swallow small amounts of the gel, there are some precautions you should be made aware of.
Read on to learn more about teeth whitening gel and what could happen if you accidentally ingest some.
Let's get into it.
What Are Teeth Whitening Strips Made of?
Teeth whitening strips are adhesive strips soaked in a whitening gel. This gel contains whitening ingredients that, when left on teeth, help lift surface stains and unveil the whiter layer of enamel underneath.
The main active ingredients in most whitening strips are usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These peroxides release oxygen molecules, which interact with the stains found on your teeth, and help to lift them.
More modern, peroxide-free formulas contain PAP and nano-hydroxyapatite. PAP, like these other peroxides, help to lift stains off your teeth. Whilst nano-hydroxyapatite helps to fill the microscopic pores in our teeth which often contribute to the yellow hue.
Other ingredients, called inactive ingredients, are used to make the gel but do not work directly to whiten your teeth. These ingredients help the strip adhere to your teeth, flavor the gel, and act as desensitizing agents, for example.
What Happens If You Swallow a Small Amount of Whitening Gel?
Swallowing small amounts of whitening gel is typically nothing to worry about. The whitening ingredients in dental products are tested to be safe for use in humans, and usually contain low amounts of chemicals that have the potential to cause irritation.
Once in your mouth, some ingredients, such as hydrogen peroxide will naturally break down into harmless substances like oxygen and water. Whilst other ingredients, such as PAP have been shown to be both biodegradable and nontoxic. Nano-hydroxyapatite has also been shown to be non-irritating.
However, all formulations are made differently, and none are designed to be swallowed orally or ingested on a regular basis. It is likely that regular ingestion of whitening gel will cause some mild side effects which may include nausea, for example.
To err on the side of caution, it is best to avoid swallowing whitening gel altogether.
Should You Intentionally Swallow Saliva or Gel While Using Strips?
No, you should not intentionally swallow saliva or gel whilst using whitening strips. They are not designed to be ingested, and therefore are not always tested for safety when swallowed.
It is best to spit and give your mouth a quick rinse with water after using whitening strips. If needed, you can carefully spit out excess saliva while using whitening strips to avoid swallowing the gel.
While it may be more convenient, there is no further benefit to swallowing saliva or gel whilst using whitening strips. Instead, it may cause some stomach upset if you do so regularly. It is best to stay on the side of caution, and avoid swallowing the gel whilst you have the strips in.
Tips for safe use of teeth whitening strips
Whitening strips are great tools to use if you’re trying to achieve that dream smile. Like any product, it is important that you use it correctly, so that it can safely lift the stains off your teeth.
Use Enamel Safe Products
Not all whitening strips are made the same. While peroxides such as hydrogen and carbamide peroxide can whiten teeth, there are some better alternatives that protect teeth's enamel.
Products using PAP instead of hydrogen peroxide have been shown to stop enamel erosion caused by hydrogen peroxide. This will help protect teeth from decay and sensitivity caused by enamel erosion.
Avoid Eating, Drinking or Swallowing
When you have your whitening strips in, it is best to avoid eating, drinking, and swallowing as much as possible. This will ensure that you do not ingest any of the whitening gel.
It is usually safe to eat and drink after you have removed the strips from your teeth.
A quick rinse with water after using the gel will ensure that all the excess gel is removed from your mouth before eating or drinking.
Know When to Remove
Whitening strips are only intended to be left on for a certain period of time. For example, our whitening strips are only intended to be left on for half an hour. There is no need to leave them on for any longer.
If you do feel any pain or discomfort, especially if you have problems with your teeth or gums already, it is important to remove the strips. And if you have problems, or concerns with any whitening strip, it is good to see a dentist. The discomfort you feel may be indicative of an underlying dental problem.
Avoid Overuse
Whitening strips give great results. For this reason, it can be tempting to use the whitening strips a little more often than is recommended. However, this can result in tooth sensitivity and irritation. Making sure you only use the strips as directed is important to achieve a white smile, along with ensuring the health of your teeth.
If you experience sensitivity, it may be best to only use whitening strips occasionally, instead of every week, for example.
Dental expert Dr Anjum Chaudhary, BDS, MDS stated that “In most cases, ingesting a tiny bit of teeth whitening gel is not harmful and may only produce slight pain in the stomach or throat.
On the other hand, consuming the substance in high quantities might result in more serious complications, such as nausea, irritation of the stomach, inflammation, vomiting, and diarrhea. Immediately contact a medical professional or go to an urgent care facility if you find that you have swallowed a significant amount of teeth whitening gel.
Whitening gel for teeth is not meant to be consumed by the general public and should be kept out of the reach of children.”
Conclusion
When used as intended, whitening strips are a great way to whiten your teeth, without putting your health at risk.
Accidentally ingesting a small amount of whitening gel is usually not harmful. Many of the ingredients have been tested to make sure that accidental swallowing of small amounts does not cause us harm. However, it is important to avoid intentional swallowing of whitening gel when using whitening strips.
If you are looking at trying out teeth whitening strips, it is important to follow our tips for safe use. These include not overusing the strips, avoiding eating and drinking whilst having the strips in and to use products which are safe for your enamel.
Here at Boka, we know how important your dental health is. We also know that a white smile is something that brightens your face, boosts your confidence, and leaves you looking and feeling more radiant. If you’re looking for safe teeth whitening strips, try our sell-out sensitive smile whitening strips.