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…
Should You Sleep With Dentures In Your Mouth?
After getting dentures, you might wonder if you should sleep with them in your mouth or not. While it is possible to sleep with them, taking them out has several advantages.For example, it allows you to clean them better. Keep reading to learn more about why you should take your dentures out before sleep.The dentures…
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.
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 does it take to whiten your teeth with trays from the dentist? ›
In regards to how long trays need to be worn, patients should expect to wear them until the teeth have reached the right shade of white. In some cases, it can take a few weeks or for serious stains, it can take up to a year.
Do you brush teeth after removing whitening trays? ›
After Whitening: Remove the tray and rinse off your teeth.
Brush any remaining gel away. Brush, floss and continue routine dental cleaning. You may initially notice white splotches on teeth following removal of tray. This is typically cause by dehydration of the teeth and should diminish within an hour.
Do you brush your teeth before or after whitening trays? ›
Here is a recommended approach and measures from our experts for the most effective dental care and hygiene: Brush your teeth well before applying whitening trays to ensure that they are clean and free of surface debris.
How long should you use a take-home whitening kit? ›
Take-home teeth whitening kits can be used for up to two weeks (14 consecutive days) and should only be used a few times a year. It is important to note that these are just general guidelines.
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? ›
Clean your teeth thoroughly before each use, including use of floss or specialist brushes. Rinse any toothpaste away. Try not to waste the gel. Fill the supplied bleaching trays with a small amount of the whitening agent.
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.
How much gel to put in teeth whitening trays? ›
Place a SMALL drop of tooth whitening gel half way up on the inner front surface of tray (in the front of each tooth in the tray). Do not spread the bleach around. Recap the syringe for next treatment until empty. The average treatment per arch requires approximately 0.5ml of whitening gel.
laser teeth whitening is the safest, quickest, and most effective option among the types of teeth-whitening treatments available. However, there are ultimately several ways to whiten teeth, and the most suitable option will depend on your timeline, budget, and priorities, as well as the nature of the discoloration.
Are whitening trays from dentists worth it? ›
Teeth whitening trays from a dentist are vastly superior to any supposed teeth whitening solutions available at the local store. Your dentist will take the time necessary to build a fully customized teeth whitening tray for your unique mouth.
How do you sleep with teeth 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.
How often should I use whitening trays? ›
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 hours should you wear whitening trays? ›
If your teeth are quite dark or very yellow or grey or if you have antibiotic staining it will take longer. 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.
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? ›
It will be difficult to drink, smoke, or eat while wearing take home teeth whitening trays. This could make the whitening treatment ineffective. Swallowing too much of the bleaching solution will cause nausea. Waiting about 30 minutes after the whitening treatment before brushing to remove the whitening gel is ideal.
Can you drink water while using 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.
