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
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…
How To Care For Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are designed to mimic the appearance of natural teeth. To maximize their effectiveness, patients should learn how to care for them. These appliances are used to enhance the appearance of the smile by covering flaws, such as broken, discolored, chipped, or gapped teeth. With proper care, such…
Can A Dental Filling Be Replaced?
The lifespan of a dental filling is limited. Due to normal wear and tear, a replacement may be necessary. When a filling deteriorates or comes loose, your tooth loses the protection that it has against injury and decay and will be more vulnerable to dangerous bacteria. To avoid more dental issues in the future, you…
FAQs
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 do teeth whitening trays from the dentist work? ›
Professional take-home teeth whitening trays are said to be one of the most effective ways to whiten teeth. The appliance is used to apply the bleaching product to the patient's teeth and it keeps them immersed in the product as it begins to remove stains from the inner and outer layers of their teeth.
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.
How many hours should you leave teeth whitening trays in? ›
Wear your trays as directed
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 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.
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 much gel to 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 to whiten teeth over 60? ›
Bleaching Trays
Compared to commercial products, whitening trays from your dentist are stronger and much safer for seniors in particular. As you age, your gums and teeth can become more sensitive. Your dentist can first evaluate your oral health to determine if you are eligible to receive teeth whitening.
How often should you use an at home teeth whitening kit? ›
At-home kits can be used as often as once every four to six months. However, the results of take-home whitening kits or store-bought whitening strips do not last that long. It is important not to whiten teeth more often than what your dentist recommends.
How to whiten teeth in 2 minutes? ›
Baking-powder eliminates stains on the surface of your teeth and lemon juice as we already said has multiple components that lighten teeth. Just mix a teaspoon of baking powder and a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and brush your teeth with the paste this mixture will work wonders in just two minutes.
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.
Are whitening trays from dentists worth it? ›
The benefits of using custom whitening trays
A custom whitening tray fits well on a patient's teeth, which leads to improved whitening as their teeth are evenly immersed in the bleaching agent. The mouth tray also helps prevent the bleaching solution from getting into the person's gums during treatment.
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 often should you whiten your teeth with whitening trays? ›
We advise whitening your teeth just once a year, whether professionally or at home. This should keep sensitivity from becoming a problem while helping you maintain a white, natural-looking smile. Typically, the professional-grade whitening kits available from our dental office last about a year.
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 drink water while wearing 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.
