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.
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 do you wear teeth whitening trays at home? ›
Place a small amount of teeth whitening gel into the tray(s). Place the whitening tray(s) in your mouth carefully, making sure that it is seated all the way. Remove any excess gel from the gum tissue with your finger or dry toothbrush. Keep the tray in your mouth for 30-60 minutes.
Do you brush your teeth before or after whitening trays? ›
Before you start the application process, you will want to brush your teeth. In addition, after using Opalescence and having removed the tray from your mouth, brushing your teeth is advised. You'll also want to wash out the tray using mild soap and water.
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.
Can I leave teeth whitening trays in all night? ›
Boutique by Night has several different protocols, all designed for a minimum of 4 hours' wear time, but best results will manifest from keeping the trays in overnight, so you can whiten as you sleep. Wearing for 6 hours or more at night will typically yield better results.
How much gel to put in teeth whitening trays? ›
Place a SMALL drop of tooth whitening gel halfway 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.
How many teeth whitening sessions do I need at home? ›
Even though it may include many administrations of the bleaching solution, most patients need one teeth whitening treatments session. Wearing the whitening pellets lasting up to two weeks may be required for at-home whitening kits.
Can yellow teeth become white again? ›
Yellow teeth can regain whiteness through various methods, including good oral hygiene, professional dental cleanings, and teeth-whitening treatments. Stains from coffee, tea, or tobacco can be removed with adequate oral care, while professional procedures like bleaching or laser treatments offer quicker results.
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.
worn for 10-30 min to aid in sensitivity.
- If sensitivity is severe or persistent, please contact our office. 5. Do not eat or drink for 30 minutes after you have removed the trays and finished the whitening session. After each use, rinse them out with water, dry it, and store it in the case.
What happens if you leave whitening trays on too long? ›
If you've left your teeth whitening gel on for too long and are worried that it might have caused damage to your teeth, try not to fret. You may notice some slight sensitivity of the teeth, white spots on the gum or white flecks on teeth, or numbness on the gumline.
Should I dry my teeth before whitening? ›
If you are using a home kit, be sure to dry your teeth before you insert each tray.
Do you rinse your mouth after teeth whitening? ›
After Whitening:
Remove the tray and rinse off your teeth. Brush any remaining gel away. You may rinse with ACT fluoride rinse if desired to help with sensitivity.
Can I drink water with 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.
Are you supposed to sleep with whitening trays? ›
Wear your trays as directed
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.
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 you drink water with whitening trays in mouth? ›
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.
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)
