Are You Using Your Teeth Whitening Strips WRONG? Dentist reveals the biggest mistakes people make with home treatment – as she shares great tips to ensure your pearly whites are at their most dazzling

Whitening your teeth all wrong?

Orange County-based cosmetic dentist Joyce Kahng, who makes videos as Joyce the Dentist, showed her 451,000 followers how to “get the most out of your Crest Whitestrips with these hacks.”

The dentist explained that she “refused to keep those Crest whitening hacks” and explained that her followers “probably weren’t using them properly.”

If you regularly use teeth whitening strips, here are some helpful tips to ensure you get the most bang for your buck – and don’t ruin your pearly whites.

The dentist explained that she “refused to keep those Crest whitening hacks” and explained that her followers “probably weren’t using those rights.”

“I see a lot of mistakes being made,” Dr. Kahng announced at the start of the easy seminar.

Her first tip is to cut the strips “hot dog style” to make more money.

This way, you’ll double your strips and not waste the bleach by using it on the back of your teeth.

Then people should only place the tape on the front of the teeth and avoid the backs.

Dr. Kahng promised that the whitening formula disperses “even if there is no direct contact with the back.”

Her patients will also place the whitening strips directly over dental restorations such as crowns or veneers, but it’s best to avoid these areas altogether.

“You really have to cut the strip,” Dr. Kahng said, “so there’s no direct contact.”

Bleaching strips are slightly acidic, so direct contact could lead to enamel on a crown [to] decay over a period of time and may not look so nice in a few years.”

The third and final tip is to purchase a pack of silicone cheek retractors to use with the strips, which minimize saliva contact with the strips, which can “deactivate the active ingredient.”

Dr Kahng reminded people to only use two cans a year, otherwise the chemicals could be too harsh

No need for expensive whitening sessions at the dentist’s office with these helpful tips from Dr. Kahng

The third and final tip is to buy a pack of silicone cheek retractors to use with the strips, which minimize saliva contact with the strips, which can “deactivate the active ingredient.”

The curler mimics what is done in a professional office and makes the strips much stronger.

Dr. Kahng reminded people to use a maximum of two boxes a year.

Some commenters had questions about her techniques, with one person asking, “If it’s spread all over the tooth, isn’t it as effective to cut it in half?”

Dr. Kahng replied, “No. Even in professional teeth whitening we only apply it to the front of the tooth.’

Dr. Kahng told DailyMail.com that Crest Supreme Whitestrips had “the highest concentration of hydrogen peroxide per lane cost’, while the sensitive version was ‘the worst bang for your buck’.

If you have sensitive teeth, try strips with higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide.

The dentist recommended reducing the time per session but increasing the frequency and promised, “Consistency is what will win the game.”

Dr. Kahng told DailyMail.com that Crest Supreme Whitestrips have “the highest concentration of hydrogen peroxide per strip cost.”

He said the sensitive version was “the worst bang for your buck”. Instead, the dentist recommended reducing the time per session but increasing the frequency

For sensitive teeth, Dr. Kahng recommended using a potassium nitrate product, such as Sensodyne, at least 2 weeks before whitening

For sensitive teeth, Dr. Kahng recommended using a potassium nitrate product like Sensodyne, which creates a barrier over the nerves of your teeth, at least two weeks before whitening.

While people may be tempted by whitening strips that come with an LED light, Dr. Kahng believes it’s better to buy more strips because the lightit doesn’t do much and isn’t worth paying twice the price for.’

Dr. Kahng also clarified that it was possible to bleach with glue, just be aware that it will not change color.

Tend’s chief dentist, Dr. Chris Salierno, agreed that Crest Whitestrips were the best way to whiten at home.

“They provide excellent results while still being gentle for people with sensitive teeth,” Dr Salierno told DailyMail.com.

She prefers strips to pens, “because a strip can keep the whitening material close to your teeth and protect it from being washed away by saliva.”

“For best results, use within a few weeks of a professional cleaning at your dentist’s office,” added Dr. Salierno.

After all, ‘you want to whiten your teeth, not the plaque sitting on top!’

Meanwhile, Puneet Nanda, who founded Ayurvedic teeth whitening brand Guru Nandatold DailyMail.com, “If you’re young and don’t have sensitivity issues, the best thing to do is to use bleaching strips.”

He suggested cutting his brand’s strips in half to save money, which would make the teeth seven to eight shades lighter.

However, if you’re sensitive, she says it’s best to opt for a whitening mouthwash three to five times a week, with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to remove stains.

Nanda also suggested adding mouthwash to flossing to whiten between teeth.