Want to quick and easy fix the yellow pigment your teeth have after drinking tea? Grab a teeth whitening pen, twist it and apply it to your teeth.
This is the quickest fix for yellow teeth. Unlike other methods, you do not have to wait longer in order to see the results.
However, that also means that it will not last as long. If you truly want lasting results then getting a dental whitening treatment is your best bet.
This article discusses the whitening pen and whether you should get it or not. Learn its uses, ingredients and effectiveness below!
What is a Teeth Whitening Pen?
Like every other OTC whitening product, the pen also contains a bleaching agent.
The whitening gel in the pen contains either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
Usually, OTC products contain carbamide peroxide because it is not as strong as hydrogen peroxide which may cause tooth sensitivity if you do not apply it carefully.
Though there is hardly any difference in their effectiveness. So a pen containing any of the two bleaches is good for whitening.
The bleach works by first breaking down the stains into smaller pieces. Then the stain becomes less concentrated.
As a result, the teeth become brighter.
What sets it apart from other whitening methods is that it is portable and convenient.
A pocket-sized pen fits right into your bag and you can carry it everywhere for a quick fix.
They clean the leftover stains present on the surface of every tooth.
Plus the results are quite quick too.
So these products are usually ideal for a last-minute touch-up.
If you suddenly have an event to attend but do not have time to use other OTC products such as strips and can’t wait for them to show results over a 2 week period time, a pen is your quick solution.
It can hide the stains by breaking them down into smaller pieces that are not as visibb
Besides being quick and easy, it can also work as your first foray into teeth whitening products.
Strips, gels and mouth trays may seem like they are rather stronger although, all products contain the same bleaching agent.
So if you want to begin with something lighter, you have an option in choosing a portable pen that applies quickly, gives faster results and does not lead to sensitivity.
You must be wondering, how can a pen whiten teeth? Find out below!
How to Use Teeth Whitening Pen?
Using a normal ink pen to whiten your teeth will take several minutes. So how come is a whitening pen quick to use?
Well, because it has a soft brush tip. That makes it very easy to use.
Moreover, due to its ease of use, the brush tip can reach areas where other whitening products have a hard time reaching.
These are the areas where stains continue to build over time, eventually discoloring your teeth.
However, a soft brush tip of the pen can reach even between the gums in order to whiten the stains present there.
Begin using the pen by first brushing your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brush in a circular motion not being hard on your teeth.
Once you are done brushing and rinsing, remove the cap of the pen and twist its bottom until you see the gel emerging from the pen.
Then apply the gel to each tooth’s surface. Only apply a thin layer making sure that each tooth’s surface is entirely covered.
You will have to leave the gel to dry and not rinse it at all in certain models. This way the product remains on your teeth and works to whiten them.
Others may tell you to leave it on for a specific time before you rinse it off.
Since you do not have to wait to rinse in certain types of pens, it saves your time and you can simply apply it and go.
However, that also means that you need to be careful about not drinking water or gargling which could remove the product.
You can apply it right before you need to step out or in the early morning with your oral care routine. But does it work? Let’s dig deeper!
Does It Work?
All stains are not equal. In fact, there are extrinsic as well as intrinsic stains.
Extrinsic stains are due to coffee, tea, smoking, alcohol, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, berries and other staining foods and drinks.
These stains usually go away from OTC whitening treatments because they are on the surface of the tooth.
However, intrinsic stains are present deeper.
They result from aging, illness, a crack in the tooth and enamel erosion.
So these are usually found in the dentin beneath the enamel.
Whitening products usually whiten the extrinsic stains present on the enamel but not those that are found beneath that.
Teeth whitening zoom and laser dentistry can reach deeper to whiten that too.
Moreover, it is harder to whiten the darker stains.
The pen will work well on yellow stains but is harder to show the same effectiveness for grey or brown stains.
Also, remember that whitening products do not work on artificial teeth.
Hence, they will not work on veneers, crowns or in teeth with dental work such as fillings.
In order to ensure that you get proper results, let the product remain on your teeth for enough time for the peroxide bleaching agent to interact with the stains and break them down.
This includes not rinsing teeth, drinking water or eating anything so that it dries completely and works on the stains in the meanwhile.
While it will provide you instant brightness to some extent when you need a quick touch-up, it is not a long-lasting or stronger solution to teeth whiteness.
In order to get that, you will need dental whitening as all over-the-counter solutions have lesser bleaching agents which will not bleach the intrinsic stains.
That said, the pen also has some benefits, especially when you are on the go.
Benefits
Convenience and Portability
There are many OTC teeth whitening products that can whiten yellow teeth, however, not all are as convenient and portable as the pen.
It is the size of a regular pen and can easily fit in your pocket.
You can carry it wherever you go and it is easy to do last-minute touch-ups by using it rather than other products.
Hence, it is a travel-friendly product that you can take everywhere you go without it having to take up a lot of space.
It can be a constant in your bag and you can apply it anywhere.
This brings us to…
It is Easy to Use
Applying it anywhere is possible because of its ease of use.
All you have to do is simply twist the pen and apply the brush tip to your teeth.
The instructions are quite simple and all you have to do is to ensure that all of your teeth are covered.
You Do Not Have To Wait
If your pen does not instruct you to leave it and rinse then you do not have to remove it.
This means you can simply apply it and you do not have to wait to wash it.
With other products, product application usually requires you to wait for a certain time and then you need to rinse away the product.
However, with the pen, you only need to wait a while for the product to dry down before eating, rinsing and drinking.
So you are almost done as soon as you apply it to your teeth.
With the benefits of the pen out of the way, it is time to discuss the side effects so that you can weigh in if buying a whitening pen is a good choice for you or not.
Teeth Whitening Pen Side Effects
Any whitening product poses a risk of sensitivity.
This usually happens when the peroxide bleaching agent in the product reaches the dentin through the enamel and ends up irritating your tooth nerves.
It can also irritate your gums when the bleaching gel comes in contact with them.
However, when it comes to whitening pens, they have a fairly low dose of bleaching agent than the rest of whitening products.
Therefore, it does not cause sensitive teeth as other products may.
However, that also means that the results you get will not be as long-lasting.
That said, these pens are still a good solution for a quick fix on the go.
If you want to consistently see improvements in your teeth color, keep following the instructions of the product and be regular in applying the product.
If you are looking for a dramatic change, then the pen is not suitable for you.
Consult your dentist for professional whitening and look into other OTC options if you want long-lasting results.
Finally,
A teeth whitening pen can provide you with a quick fix and touch-ups when you need them in a hurry.
So if you want to get a brighter smile quickly, keep one in your bag t use when you need it.
