Most cosmetic dentists offer supervised teeth whitening treatments that you can use from the comfort of your home. A dentist will create custom teeth trays that fit perfectly over your teeth. They will give you the trays, along with teeth whitening gel and detailed instructions that cover the entire teeth whitening process. The dentist will also advise their patient on how to take care of their teeth trays.
How at-home teeth whitening works
There are off the shelf teeth whitening solutions in most drug stores, but they can only do so much to create evenly colored teeth. Dentists address this shortcoming by combining the accuracy of in-office teeth whitening with the convenience of take-home teeth trays.
A dentist starts the teeth whitening process by performing a visual exam of their patient’s teeth and mouth. If they find any dental problems, the dentist treats those problems first. Next, the dentist takes an impression of the patient’s teeth. They use this mold to create custom teeth trays that fit like a glove.
Once the dental trays are ready, the dentist hands them over to the patient right after they clean the patient’s teeth. The dentist then gives a practical lesson on how to use the teeth whitening trays. The lesson demonstrates how to apply the bleaching agent and how to clean the teeth before wearing the trays.
The dentist also tells their patient how long and how often to wear the trays; as well as how to clean the mouth after the trays come off. Lastly, the dentist gives pointers on how to care for teeth whitening trays.
Cleaning and caring for teeth whitening trays
Teeth bleaching trays are made of sturdy plastic that can withstand the mildly corrosive bleaching agent in teeth whitening gels. That does not mean that the trays can take anything a patient throws at them. Dental trays perform poorly when exposed to toothpaste, which is counterintuitive.
To care for teeth whitening trays, a dentist will recommend:
- Cleaning the trays with a soft-bristled brush or a clean washcloth
- Using soap instead of toothpaste to clean the teeth whitening trays
- Cleaning the trays with room-temperature water (never hot)
- Drying the teeth trays thoroughly, making sure to dry every nook
- Q-tips to help dry the hard to reach areas of the trays
- Storing the dry teeth trays in their case
- Protecting the teeth trays from heat to prevent warping
The dentist will also remind the patient to clean both the outside and inside of each tray. They will tell the patient to store the cleaning gel in the fridge and away from direct sunlight. Lastly, the dentist will show the patient how to deal with tooth sensitivity, just in case it happens.
Get the perfect smile with professional guidance, from the comfort of your home
There is no need to roll the dice when it comes to the results of teeth whitening treatments. If you want your smile to have even coloration, call us to schedule an appointment with our dentist.You will love our tailor-made teeth whitening treatments.
Request an appointment here: https://www.thanasasdds.com or call Thanasas Family Dental Care at (248) 260-2878 for an appointment in our Troy office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Teeth Whitening in Troy, MI.
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FAQs
Once you've removed them from your mouth, the best way to clean them is carefully, with an electric toothbrush, non-perfumed soap and warm water. Never use hot water, as this can damage your whitening trays. And don't use toothpaste as it is abrasive. Make sure you clean both the outside and inside of your trays.
What is the best way to clean teeth whitening trays? ›
Once you've removed them from your mouth, the best way to clean them is carefully, with an electric toothbrush, non-perfumed soap and warm water. Never use hot water, as this can damage your whitening trays. And don't use toothpaste as it is abrasive. Make sure you clean both the outside and inside of your trays.
Do you brush your teeth before or after whitening trays? ›
Prior to Treatment: Brush and floss just prior to bleaching your teeth. The whitening gel is the most effective with clean teeth. Try the trays in first without any beach to check the fit and comfort. Make sure that the bleaching trays are clean and dry before applying the whitening gel.
Can you clean whitening trays with Efferdent? ›
Care of the Bleaching Trays
Clean the trays daily with a soft tooth brush and soapy water, and store them in the case provided. At least once a week, soak the trays in a denture cleanser, (such as Efferdent or Polident).
Can I shower with teeth whitening trays in? ›
Whitening products such as Crest Whitestrips use Advanced Seal technology to keep the strips in place so you can continue your regular activities such as showering, drinking water, or running errands.
How do you maintain whitening trays? ›
After each use, rinse the trays thoroughly with cold water, using a toothbrush to remove excess gel if necessary. Do not use soaps, hot water or a dishwasher to clean the trays, as this may deform them. Once clean, place the trays in the storage case and allow them to air-dry before closing the case.
How do you disinfect teeth trays? ›
Hydrogen peroxide — Hydrogen peroxide is used mainly for its bacteria-killing power — that's why we put it in our open wounds. Make a solution with half peroxide and half water and let your trays soak for 20 minutes. They'll work as well as denture cleaners, etc., but is significantly cheaper.
What happens if you leave teeth whitening gel on too long? ›
Burns and Blisters. In rare cases, the bleaching agents used in teeth whitening can cause burns or blisters on your gums. This usually happens when the gel used is left on your teeth for too long or if it's not applied correctly.
Should I dry my teeth before whitening? ›
If you are using a home kit, be sure to dry your teeth before you insert each tray.
How long after whitening trays can I eat? ›
This can lead to discoloration, and this why it is advised to wait 30 minutes after whitening before eating or drinking.
Take-home teeth whitening trays
Typically, teeth whitening trays are used multiple times over the span of a couple of weeks. As far as how long the results from take-home trays last, the answer varies for everyone. In general, the results will last for six to eight months.
Can I drink water with teeth whitening trays in? ›
Do not smoke with trays and wait at least two hours after using the whitening gel. Avoid eating or drinking with the trays in and for at least 1 hour afterward.
What happens if you forget to put teeth whitening gel in the fridge? ›
The challenge with such instability, however, is that all whitening gels will begin degenerating immediately upon manufacture unless they are kept under constant refrigeration. If left at room temperature or exposed to warmer climates and hot shipping temperatures, the peroxide gel will lose potency.
Can you skip a day of teeth whitening? ›
You may decide not to whiten every day if gingival irritation or the sensitivity from whitening becomes too painful. It's okay to skip days to allow gingival tissue time to heal and tooth sensitivity to settle down. You will still get the same whitening result, but it may take more days to get there.
What happens if you leave whitening trays in overnight? ›
If you've left your teeth whitening gel on for too long and are worried that it might have caused damage to your teeth, try not to fret. You may notice some slight sensitivity of the teeth, white spots on the gum or white flecks on teeth, or numbness on the gumline.
How long can I keep teeth whitening trays in? ›
Place a small amount of teeth whitening gel into the tray(s). Place the whitening tray(s) in your mouth carefully, making sure that it is seated all the way. Remove any excess gel from the gum tissue with your finger or dry toothbrush. Keep the tray in your mouth for 30-60 minutes.
How long do you boil teeth whitening trays? ›
Making Your Thermoforming Trays at Home:
Boil water in a kettle and immediately pour into a mug. Place the tray in the water while holding the tab of the whitening tray for 3-5 seconds. If you keep the trays in the water too long, they will shrink. However, a little bit of shrinkage is okay.
Are you supposed to sleep with whitening trays? ›
Every dentist is slightly different and therefore you should follow the instructions provided with regards to wearing your trays. However, in most cases the whitening trays are worn overnight for at least 7/8 hours. During this time, you should not eat, drink or smoke.
How to mould teeth whitening trays? ›
Step 1 (Mould trays)
Using a mirror, align central indent between front two teeth, and wrap around individual teeth for a snug fit. 4 Once set, remove tray from mouth. Rinse with cold water and dry tray. Repeat steps to make second tray (remember to use freshly boiled water).
