Are you tired of the shame and embarrassment that come as a result of discolored teeth? Teeth whitening gel can help, but it's crucial to use it safely. Improper use can cause discomfort or damage.
But that's not something you need to worry about, as we have your back. In this article, we are going to take you through everything, step by step, to ensure that you actually do get to have that whitest smile of yours without having to put up with any of those nasty side effects.
From learning the risk factors to knowing the methods of application, thus you will be assured of effectively and safely whitening your teeth at home.
So, let's get started.
Before getting straight to learn how to use teeth whitening gel, it's essential to first understand what is it.
Essentially, the teeth whitening gel is a form of bleach solution prepared with the primary intent of lightening the enamel of your teeth. It is usually prepared from hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which, in turn, will penetrate through the enamel, breaking down any molecule located in the dentin's tubules that may cause staining or discoloration.
The forms in which the gel is packed are in syringes, pens, or trays and are applied to apply the product directly onto the teeth. After the application of this gel, its action of removing stains and doing brightening work starts right away.
Now, you will be saying that why does this staining of the teeth take place? The answer to this is that there are plenty of factors that lead to discoloration, such as:
1. Food and Drinks: Consumption of dark-colored foods and drinks, such as coffee, tea, red wine, and most types of berries, can stain your teeth over time.
2. Tobacco Use: Smoking or chewing tobacco can lead to yellow or brown stains on your teeth.
3. Poor oral hygiene: If an individual fails to brush and floss to the required standards, then some plaque and tartar may accumulate on the surface of the tooth. This may lead to a dulling of the teeth or even discoloration.
4. Aging: With time, the outer layer of the enamel wears away, allowing the yellower dentin to show through.
5. Drugs: Some drugs, such as antibiotics or antihistamines, can discolor teeth as one of the side effects.
Knowledge of such factors can enable you to make lifestyle changes that will keep further staining at bay and maximize the effectiveness of the whitening gel on your teeth.
Now, let's discuss the side effects of improper teeth whitening gel usage.
Just keep in mind that understanding the potential side effects of improper use with the teeth-whitening gel is, by all means, essential for maintaining your oral health and getting the best possible results.
Even though tooth whiteners significantly improve your tooth color, it is quite important to use these teeth whitening products exactly as guided in order not to end up with side effects.
Increased sensitivity of the tooth is the most common side effect of tooth whitening. It can range from a mild level of tenderness to very sharp, shooting pain whenever something hot or cold is eaten or drunk.
This is because the active whitening agents in the gel can actually temporarily weaken the enamel, hence possibly be exposing the nerves in teeth.
Other than these, the teeth whitening gel might also be misused, causing irritation to the gums. This will manifest in reddening and swelling or, in other cases, even a bit of bleeding along the gum line.
This generally occurs by ingestion of the whitening gel and long contact of the whitening gel with soft tissues of the gums.
Other signs that you could see are the uneven results of whitening, which means if the gel for whitening is not applied uniformly on all teeth or the procedure to apply is not carried out with an even pace, then some teeth will look whiter than others, giving a smile that does not seem to be natural.
Overuse or misuse of teeth whitening products may cause damage to the enamel of the tooth, which acts as a shield on the outer surface. Erosion in enamel will make the teeth prone to decay and sensitivity and may also give the teeth a translucent or chalky appearance.
Teeth whitening gel may contain some ingredients to which a person may be allergic. Rarely, a person may develop symptoms such as swelling, itching, or hives around the mouth and throat.
Do not use this product if you already suffer from a known susceptibility to its ingredients.
Foreknowledge of such possible side effects, you can take actions beforehand to mitigate them and thus secure a safe and working experience in teeth whitening.
Now we are ready to explore how to use teeth whitening gel safely at home to achieve a brighter, more confident smile.
Therefore, the use of home teeth whitening gel needs to be applied with utmost care to details as far as adherence to guidelines is concerned. The following are some of the steps that could be followed so as to obtain the best of results without risking any side effects:
First, make sure your teeth are clean by brushing and flossing. Try on the trays first before applying the gel to them to make sure they are comfortable in your mouth.
Clean, dry trays are an absolutely necessary requirement for best results with this procedure. In no case should moist trays be used, as the action of the bleaching gel will be hampered.
Apply a small drop of whitening gel at the mid-point of the inner front surface of each tooth in the tray. Avoid overloading the tray with the whitening gel, which allows you to avoid a discrepancy in the process of teeth whitening.
Recap the syringe for future use and be careful that about 0.5ml of gel per arch should be enough for one treatment.
Next, apply the whitening gel and place the whitening tray into the mouth in position such that it should comfortably rest against the teeth.
Then, put out any extra gel that overflows the brim of the tray by using your finger or a piece of cotton swab, of course, doing so lightly.
Wear the trays containing bleaching gel for the recommended period, normally about two hours. In case there are some feelings of sensitivity, they may be reduced by wearing them for one hour or by alternation of days.
Make sure you wear both at the same time of the bleaching process, so it can provide for evenness.
After that time, remove the trays, wash off any remaining gel on the teeth, and brush the teeth as you normally do.
You may have temporary white spots on your teeth that fade away within an hour. For the next hour after the whitening process, avoid all staining foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, and berries.
Keep the used whitening trays clean. After washing the trays in cold water with a toothbrush or a Q-tip, put them inside the holder provided and keep the gel in a cool place away from direct sunlight and heat.
While refrigerating the gel can extend its shelf life, avoid freezing it to maintain its effectiveness.
Just follow these steps with your trays and gel, and you can make your home a safe and effective teeth whitening place.
Here are more general safety guidelines to be followed apart from specific instructions in using teeth whitening gel to have a safe and successful whitening experience:
Always ensure that you have to consult with a dentist before you can go for any treatment for teeth whitening to ascertain that it is safe with respect to the health of your teeth.
He will be in a position to offer personalized advice on your dental condition and equally respond to whatever question you may be having.
Apply the gel only the number of times in a week and for a week's duration as prescribed by the instructions of the product or the recommendation of your dentist. Applying the whitening gel more often will increase the risk of sensitivity and other side effects.
Notice any tooth sensitivity or gum irritation during whituoutening treatments. In case tooth sensitivity does not go away and, in fact, worsens, stop using any whitening product and consult a dentist.
Use desensitizing toothpaste or gel before and after whitening treatments to reduce sensitivity. Containing desensitizers, which also soothe not only the teeth but the gums for an added benefit of additional whitening and comfort.
Avoid having the gel come into contact with your gums, lips, or tongue. The gel is supposed to be wiped off at once, should it accidentally contact such soft tissues, for they are likely to get irritated.
They should also take a drink of water before and after the whitening treatments, in order not to dehydrate, which would sometimes be the cause of tooth sensitivity. Staying hydrated can also lead to the production of saliva that helps in remineralizing and protecting the teeth.
One may have to wait, of course, applying the whitening gel over a period of time for the desired shade of white to come. Do not allow yourself to rush the process by overapplying the gel or doubling the frequency beyond what the user manual dictates.
Chart your whitening progress to ensure that it has reached the level of brightness desired but not overdone. Take photographs before the commencement of treatment, then periodically throughout the course of treatment to keep track of color changes in the teeth.
With proper usage instructions, follow through with these extra precautions, as this product is definitely there to help you whiten your teeth safely and effectively at home.
Please remember, patience and consistency are part of the game to get a whiter smile with fewer side effects. If you have any concerns or questions, don't hesitate to seek advice from your dentist.
And this is how you go about using teeth whitening gel safely at home. It is just that you need to move through the above-mentioned steps with the additional care measures, and you are all set to help your teeth take on a brighter and more confident look.
Remember, patience and consistency are keys to achieving optimal results without risking any adverse effects.
