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.
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FAQs
Seat the tray with the gel around the teeth. Wipe away excess gel in the mouth with a finger, tissue or a Q-tip. For whitening treatment, wear the trays for 45 minutes a day. After treatment, remove, rinse and brush the trays with a toothbrush with cool water.
How to use at home whitening trays? ›
Seat the tray with the gel around the teeth. Wipe away excess gel in the mouth with a finger, tissue or a Q-tip. For whitening treatment, wear the trays for 45 minutes a day. After treatment, remove, rinse and brush the trays with a toothbrush with cool water.
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.3 Depending on the brand, the solution will be left on for 30 to 60 minutes or reapplied occasionally for up to one hour.
How long do you leave teeth whitening trays in your mouth? ›
Leave the trays in your mouth for 20-30 minutes when using 35% Carbamide Peroxide. You can increase the whitening time after a few sessions. In the case that you experience sensitivity, do not increase whitening time. Do not exceed a treatment time of more than 1 hour a day.
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.
How many hours should you leave teeth whitening trays in? ›
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.
Do you brush your teeth before or after using whitening? ›
Secondly, it's important to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly. Brushing before using the strips may help remove any plaque buildup on your teeth, while waiting for at least 30 minutes after using them before brushing again allows time for remineralization of tooth enamel.
How many times a week should I whiten my teeth at-home? ›
Dentists typically recommend getting one or two professional whitening treatments per year. At-home whitening kits can be used for up to 14 consecutive days. People who have gotten professional whitening can maintain their results by using these kits a few times a year.
How long should you whiten your teeth at-home? ›
How long does whitening take? If you opt for in-practice teeth whitening, it takes about two hours to achieve results, but whitening needs to be maintained with a top-up kit for around a week to ensure the results are permanent. At-home teeth whitening kits take around two to three weeks to take effect.
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.
Best Trays
The Opalescence Go Prefilled Trays use a 15% hydrogen peroxide treatment, which is higher than some of the other options on our list, meaning you'll get faster results. We noticed almost immediate results after one use, although the higher dose causes some discomfort and sensitivity.
How to professionally whiten teeth at home? ›
Combine 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of hydrogen peroxide with 1 teaspoon (6 grams) of baking soda and gently brush your teeth with the mixture. Limit the use of this homemade paste to a few times per week, as overuse can erode your tooth enamel.
Can you swallow while using whitening trays? ›
3. Can I swallow saliva during teeth whitening? Yes, the teeth whitening gel is safe. The by-products when peroxide is broken down is largely oxygen (the byproduct that allows for the whitening process) and water.
How do you sleep with teeth whitening trays? ›
It is very important to remove all the excess material from around the gums or the palate prior to sleeping with the trays in place. The darker your teeth, the longer they will take to lighten. Some changes usually occur after 1-2 weeks, and most teeth will lighten in 4 -6 weeks.
What happens if you leave teeth whitening gel on too long? ›
Burns and Blisters. In rare cases, the bleaching agents used in teeth whitening can cause burns or blisters on your gums. This usually happens when the gel used is left on your teeth for too long or if it's not applied correctly.
Are you supposed to sleep with whitening trays? ›
Every dentist is slightly different and therefore you should follow the instructions provided with regards to wearing your trays. 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 long do you keep go whitening trays in? ›
Opalescence Go Teeth Whitening
The UltraFit tray conforms to any smile. Available in 10% hydrogen peroxide (wear 30–60 minutes for 5–10 days) Available in 15% hydrogen peroxide (wear 15–20 minutes for 5–10 days)
Can I swallow with 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 I drink water with teeth whitening trays in? ›
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.
