Conscious of your yellow teeth? A teeth whitening gel can be the solution in order to smile freely.
These gels contain a bleaching agent that can make your teeth whiter.
Almost every teeth whitening product contains a whitening gel.
The other option is to use abrasives which only remove the surface stains and will not change the color of the teeth.
The gel also prevents dehydration and shade relapse.
Let’s find out more about the teeth whitening gel and how it helps to whiten your teeth.
Here, we begin!
Ingredients in Teeth Whitening Gel
The ingredients in the gel determine how strongly can it whiten your teeth.
The main ingredient is a peroxide base, either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
Usually, gels contain carbamide peroxide which is a source of hydrogen peroxide.
Carbamide peroxide reacts with stains and bleaches them. It changes its chemical structure to give your teeth a whiter look and remove stains.
Just like carbamide peroxide, hydrogen peroxide removes stains and penetrates deeper into the teeth to counteract discoloration as well.
However, hydrogen peroxide is stronger than carbamide peroxide.
Therefore, most at-home whitening kits may contain carbamide peroxide instead of hydrogen peroxide.
This is also why there are slow-acting and quick-acting gels.
The slow-acting gels contain carbamide peroxide.
The gels contain a low concentration of the peroxide base, hence, it is safer to use at home.
This will not irritate your gums and teeth. However, that also means that it will act rather slowly.
If you want a faster result, going to the dentist is the safest option.
Dentists use gels that contain hydrogen peroxide.
Hence, they are quick-acting and can whiten teeth in one session.
These gels contain a typically higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide than that found in OTC kits.
The gels have around 15 to 38 percent of the peroxide base.
Hence, the whitening process is much faster. However, the higher concentration means that there can be greater sensitivity.
That can be dealt with.
Gels also contain ingredients that help in decreasing tooth sensitivity.
Common ones include potassium nitrate and amorphous calcium phosphate.
These may also contain fluoride to combat the sensitivity and strengthen the enamel.
However, sensitivity is not a huge concern as it is temporary.
You can use gel in several ways when it comes to whitening products.
Use on its own or in strips. Find below!
How to Use Teeth Whitening Gel?
On Its Own
An OTC whitening gel can be applied on its own. All you need is a small brush that will help in the application.
The peroxide-based gels apply directly to the surface of the teeth, however, the instructions may differ for every product.
Evenly apply it on all teeth for 14 days, 2 times each day.
Once you are done with applying it for 2 weeks, the results can last up to 4 months.
However, there are other products whereby the gel is present in them as you apply the product.
Such as…
Strips
These are transparent strips that are full of whitening gel.
Apply the strips to your teeth covering all of them with the peroxide-based gel.
You will see the results fairly quickly and they will also last for about 4 months.
Ideal application is for 2 weeks, twice a day, though follow the instructions on the label to see best results.
Pen
A teeth whitening pen is actually a small brush with whitening gel.
This pen has a brush tip and you rotate it to bring out the gel on the surface of the tip.
This gel polishes the teeth and works on the stains to change their chemical structure, hence removing the stains.
Tray Based or Mouthguards
Tray-based whiteners or mouthguards involve the process of adding a whitening gel into the tray and wearing it for some time.
Follow the instructions on how long to wear it, which ranges from a few hours during the day or the night.
Do it consistently for 4 weeks to see considerable results.
You can buy the teeth whitening system and the concentration of the gel depending on the extent of whiteness you need.
If you want too many shades of lighter teeth, then get a dental checkup.
Tips on Using Teeth Whitening Gel
Now that you know how you can use whitening gels at home, you should be aware of tips and side effects while applying them.
Before using any product, it is advisable to see your dentist.
They can recommend the products for your use.
However, if they advise you to use tray-based whiteners, then your best choice is to get them custom-made by the dentist.
This will allow you to get a tray that fit the contours of your mouth.
If the tray does not exactly fit in your mouth, then the gel can leak and spread to your gums and lips.
This will cause irritation as the gel consists of bleaching agents.
So getting a custom-made mouthguard is the way to go to ensure the best application of the gel.
The gel may also leak from the strips and can be unevenly applied through a brush.
Hence, your best option is to use a custom-made tray and insert a few drops of the gel in it, let it spread evenly and then wear it.
For some gels, even a single drop is enough. Ask your dentist for more guidance.
Brush your teeth before you wear the trays.
You will have to wear the trays for a few hours in the day or overnight.
Though, be careful that you do not swallow the gel while you are sleeping.
Hence, it is important that it fits.
The ideal time for seeing any results is 2 weeks.
You should wear the trays at least 2 times a day for these 14 days.
Don’t accidentally ingest the gel and when you are done, clean the area.
Carefully remove the trays and clean any residue left behind on the teeth and gums with a clean finger, cloth or a toothbrush and finally rinse your mouth.
Side Effects
Irritation to gums
This is one of the main side effects of using any whitening products.
The gels are peroxide-based.
These are strong chemicals that can bleach your teeth and remove stains, whitening them in the process.
The gel can, however, leak when it is in an ill-fitting tray.
The OTC trays may not fit well in your teeth.
Hence it can leak from the trays and come into contact with your lips and gums.
That will cause irritation as the chemicals are strong enough.
Tooth Sensitivity
As the concentration of the peroxide base in the gel increases, the chances of tooth sensitivity increase too.
However, the sensitivity will only last a while.
Once you rinse off the residue gel, the sensitivity will start to diminish.
Since the teeth come in contact with the gel, the sensitivity is felt strongly.
Though, your teeth will feel fine after a while.
Besides these, the whitening gel is usually safe to use.
The best way to avoid these side effects is to use them under the instructions and supervision of your dentist.
However, you can also choose to get a dental treatment by your dentist that carefully whitens your teeth without any risks or side effects.
Let’s find out more about that below.
At The Dental Clinic
When you go to a dental clinic for a teeth whitening treatment, you will have the option of choosing between laser dental whitening or dental zoom whitening.
Both of these will inevitably use a gel to whiten teeth.
However, the application of the gel and the technology used to whiten your teeth will be different.
In zoom, all teeth are whitened at once.
On the other hand, laser whitening whitens one tooth at a time. Hence it is better for targeting a few teeth whereas Zoom whitening is better for an even whiteness on all teeth.
You will get several shades of brighter teeth when you exit the dental clinic.
This is because the gel used has a higher concentration than OTC kits that you have to use over a period of 2 weeks.
Moreover, your dentist will apply the product carefully and also cover your gums and lips so that no product comes in contact with them.
This means there will be lower chances of irritation.
Furthermore, they may apply an anti-sensitivity gel to prevent sensitive teeth following the treatment.
Once you are done with this treatment and any other whitening procedures, take care of your oral hygiene to prevent the stains from accumulating again.
Brush your teeth twice a day regularly and floss once.
Also refrain from foods, drinks and smoking that will cause the surface levels stains to resurface.
If you are investing time, money and effort on your teeth then make sure your efforts are not rendered useless soon.
Finally,
A teeth whitening gel is the most important aspect of whitening teeth.
The bleaching agent present in it will remove stains and whiten your teeth.
You can use it at home in OTC kits or in a dental teeth whitening treatment.
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