Teeth Bleaching Kits

DIY Tray Based Teeth Bleaching Kits

Think you might like to whiten your teeth at home…..well tray based tooth bleaching solutions are available through your dentist or over the counter and when done correctly provide very pleasing professional results.

The majority of these teeth bleaching kits are comprised of solutions containing a type of peroxide, which actually bleaches the enamel layer of the tooth. 

These types of solutions will not only remove the stains from the surface of the tooth but will actually change and brighten the color of the tooth itself.

However, bleaching is not recommended if you have a bond or a white filling in a tooth, as these won’t absorb the bleach and will become more obvious against your other newly whitened teeth.

The bleaching agent used in home whitening kits are usually made up of carbamide peroxide solutions which are a form of hydrogen peroxide but certainly not the same as the hydrogen peroxide you may use as a cleaning product at home.

Bleaching solutions are available in several different concentrations so if you are buying a teeth whitening kit make sure to procure a solution that contains 10% carbamide peroxide. 

If you are just starting out it might be best to obtain the whitening kit from your dentist as most have received a seal of approval from the American Dental Association.

Most home based teeth whitening tray systems come complete with everything you need to bleach your teeth including a mouthguard style tray to protect your gums and the bleaching gel.

Customised whitening trays or kits can also be made up for you at your dentist’s clinic.  

Once you get home all you have to do is squirt the gel into the mouthguard and then carefully apply it to your teeth for the amount of time according to the instructions.

Some teeth whitening kits require you to carry out the treatment a couple of times a day for up to a fortnight while other bleaching kits may require you to put the trays in overnight for between one to two weeks depending on the degree of discoloration and staining of your teeth.

It is important when applying the mouthguard to make sure it fits properly and be careful not to let the solution touch the soft tissue on the inside of your mouth and your gums as this will most likely cause irritation.

One side effect you may experience after bleaching your teeth is an increased sensitivity to hot and cold.

This is quite common and should be mentioned to your dentist if it does not disappear within a short period of time after completing a whitening treatment session.

If sensitivity begins soon after you start the bleaching treatment, it is advisable to decrease the frequency of any further treatments. 

For example instead of carrying out the treatment twice per day cut it down to once per day, or overnight treatments can be done only every second night.

After the bleaching treatment, your teeth will still yellow and absorb stains so it is important to maintain your dental hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly to keep your pearly white smile. 

After bleaching your teeth avoid using another abrasive or bleaching treatments for several months as these other products may increase tooth sensitivity.

Also, for longer lasting results it is advisable if you smoke to give it away and to avoid foods and drinks like red wine, coffee and soda drinks that cause tooth discoloration and decay.