If you were recently given take-home teeth whitening trays from a dentist, it is essential to use them as instructed. This treatment involves the use of a custom-fitted tray and bleaching product to whiten the teeth from home for one to two weeks. Here is some useful information on how to safely and effectively achieve the desired results.
Effectively using take-home teeth whitening trays
Even with a custom-tray, whitening treatments are only effective if done correctly. Misuse can cause tooth and pain sensitivity or even damage the enamel of the teeth. Continue reading to learn what steps are necessary for correctly using teeth whitening trays.
1. Prep the teeth beforehand
Every time before starting a whitening session, patients need to thoroughly brush and floss the teeth beforehand. If food or grime is on the outside of the teeth, the bleaching agent may not be able to reach that area, causing spots or uneven shading.
2. Insert the gel as instructed
Only a small amount of the gel from the provided syringe should be inserted in the tooth tray to avoid the solution spilling out onto the gums. Patients should place only a drop of the gel on the front of each tooth in the tray and avoid moving the bleach around.
3. Put on the trays
After filling the trays, the patient must firmly push the tray into place against the teeth. As the gel comes into contact with saliva, it should start to foam. If any of the solution seeps out of the tray, a cloth can be used to wipe it off to prevent gum irritation. It is important to not swallow any of the bleach and spit into a sink if necessary.
4. Wear for the directed time limit
Every bleaching product has a set limit for how long it needs to be worn. Gels with more peroxide are worn for shorter amounts of time, and some patients may need to take off the trays early if any burning or tooth sensitivity occurs. Most solutions are worn only once or twice a day.
5. Clean the solution off
After reaching the time limit, the patient needs to remove the tray and immediately rinse the teeth. A toothbrush should be used to remove any remaining gel. If patients experience any tooth discomfort, desensitizing toothpaste can help block pain signals from reaching the nerve of the tooth using an active ingredient, such as potassium nitrate.
6. Wipe and store the tray and remaining gel
Patients need to clean and wipe all the gel off the trays before placing the trays in a holder until the next use. A single syringe can often be used for up to four treatments, so the patient should recap it and store the remaining gel in a refrigerator or other cold place.
Conclusion
While patients may be tempted to skip certain steps or to leave the bleaching agent on the teeth for a longer period of time to speed up the process, pain or damage can occur as a result. Never hesitate to reach out to a dentist if you have any remaining questions involving the teeth whitening procedure.
Request an appointment here: https://dentalstudiocolleyville.com or call Dental Studio Colleyville at (817) 885-5188 for an appointment in our Colleyville office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Recent Posts
Teeth Whitening Treatment From Your Dentist
Teeth whitening can change your smile and your life. Over-the-counter products promise whiter teeth after weeks of continuous use. This may be fine for some people, but others want quick results. If you want to know more about teeth whitening from your dentist, here are the details.Many people are fond of taking different dental whitening…
Brightening Your Smile With Teeth Whitening Trays From Your Dentist
Teeth whitening treatments performed by dentists are the fastest way to whiten teeth. They involve using bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide to get rid of stains that have developed in the inner and outer layers of teeth.Teeth whitening procedures are often performed using a customized mouth tray to dispense the whitening product. These trays are…
Will Whitening Products Work On Dental Fillings?
Although dentists commonly perform dental fillings, some people have no idea there are different options. They also have questions that have to do with whitening. More than ever, people want white and bright smiles. That means whitening everything, including fillings. However, is that possible?Today, whitening teeth has never been easier. Along with a procedure performed…
Learning How To Speak And Eat With Dentures
If you are getting dentures, you might want to learn how to eat and speak with them.The good news is there are a few ways you can do that. It just takes some patience. Within no time, you will be speaking and eating, just like usual.It takes some time to get used to false teeth.…
FAQs
Seat the tray fully over the teeth. Any excess gel that extrudes from the tray can be wiped away with your finger, tissue or a Q-tip. Leaving this gel on the gums can cause gum irritation. Active treatment time for whitening is approximately 45 minutes a day.
What is the procedure for home whitening prescribed by a dentist? ›
Your teeth will be coated with a whitening solution on the front surface only. Some whitening products require a curing light or laser to activate the peroxide. 4 The solution will be left on for 30 to 60 minutes, or reapplied occasionally for up to one hour, depending on the brand.
How long do you wear teeth whitening trays at home? ›
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.
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.
Do you brush your teeth after at home whitening? ›
As for whether you should brush your teeth after using whitening strips, there is no definitive answer. While some experts recommend brushing immediately after removing the strips to ensure all residue is removed, others advise waiting for 30 minutes to allow the enamel to rehydrate and minimize potential abrasion.
How can I get the best results from teeth whitening at home? ›
Apply a very small amount of gel on each tooth inside your whitening tray, you can use the tip to spread the gel equally on the tray. Make sure you do not put too much gel on your trays, as your trays are designed to fit your teeth perfectly. Whitening gel will spread on gums if you apply too much.
How can I get fast results from teeth whitening at home? ›
Best for Fast Results
We recommend the Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips if you want whiter teeth fast. Although they do not contain peroxide (opting for a mix of natural ingredients), we found these strips to be a quick and easy way to whiten our teeth in just a couple of days.
How much gel do you put in teeth whitening trays? ›
The average treatment per arch requires approximately 0.5ml of whitening gel. We recommend that you only bleach the front 6-8 teeth as no one sees the back teeth. 3. Inserting the Bleaching Trays: Insert whitening trays in the mouth over the teeth set the trays firmly against the teeth.
How often should you use at-home teeth whitening kit? ›
How often teeth whitening treatments are recommended by dentists. Professional teeth whitening performed in the dentist's office is recommended once every year to every 18 months, depending on how long the results last. At-home kits can be used as often as once every four to six months.
What is the difference between teeth whitening at the dentist and at-home? ›
Professional solutions used by your dentist are typically stronger than those in over-the-counter kits, so your teeth may whiten more quickly. They can also make sure that sensitive gums don't get more irritated. Whiteners work only on the tough outer surface of your teeth, enamel.
Wearing the trays once every 2 months will keep your teeth at a very stable colour indefinitely, however if you want to keep them at an even brighter white, you may want to wear the trays once a month. Whitening gel, for maintenance, is available from the practice.
How many days in a row can you use whitening trays? ›
If you wear your custom made trays for at least 3-4 hours in the day and/or wear the trays overnight for 14 consecutive days you will get the fastest results.
Do I rinse my mouth after whitening trays? ›
Rinse your mouth with lots of lukewarm water to remove any remaining gel when the trays are removed. Wash the tray with cold water and dry thoroughly with tissues before storage. Sensitivity is a normal feature of the whitening process. It usually only lasts for a few days after the duration of the whitening period.
How do you sleep with whitening trays? ›
You can wear the trays whilst sleeping (8 hours). It is very important to remove all the excess material around the gums or the palate prior to sleeping with the trays. The carbamide peroxide gel in your tray is active for up to 8 hours.
Can you swallow while using whitening trays? ›
Insert the tray onto the teeth and push into place until fully seated. Do not swallow and remove excess gel from around the gum line. Do not eat, drink, or bite down with trays in place. Remove after use, clean trays and place in case.
Can I leave teeth whitening trays in all night? ›
If you wear your custom made trays for at least 3-4 hours in the day and/or wear the trays overnight for 14 consecutive days you will get the fastest results. If you cannot wear the trays for a few days because life intrudes or your teeth become sensitive, it does not matter.
Can you drink water while using teeth whitening trays? ›
You can use tissue or cotton buds to remove excess gel that flows out of the trays. After use keep the gels in the fridge. Do not eat, drink or smoke while wearing whitening trays. In case of any sensitivity – remove your trays.
