Teeth whitening gel works for many people and is far less expensive than in-office treatment. However, you should read the instructions and make sure you use the gel correctly. There can be uncomfortable or painful side effects if you don’t use the gel right.
To use teeth whitening gel, follow these steps:
- Read the instructions on the product packaging and follow them carefully.
- Brush and floss your teeth to remove any plaque or debris.
- Put on any protective barriers or gums, as directed by the product instructions.
- Using a disposable applicator or your finger, apply a thin layer of the whitening gel to the front surface of your teeth. Be sure to avoid getting the gel on your gums, as it can irritate them.
- Allow the gel to sit on your teeth for the recommended time, ranging from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the product.
- Rinse your mouth with water to remove any excess gel.
- Repeat the process as directed by the product instructions.
It is generally recommended to use teeth whitening gel for a few days or up to a couple of weeks, depending on the desired level of whitening. It is important to follow the instructions on the product packaging and not to use the gel more frequently or for a longer period than recommended, as this can increase the risk of tooth sensitivity or other side effects.
Whitening gel contains peroxide, a powerful ingredient but a somewhat harsh one. Peroxide can get underneath the surface of your teeth to remove stains that have been there for a long time. However, it can also hurt your teeth and gums if you overuse or are sensitive to it.
More than anything else, you should not let whitening gel touch your gums or cheeks. Whitening gel is too harsh for your soft mouth tissues and can irritate or even burn your gums.
While whitening gel for at-home use is milder than what dentists use, it is not always harmless. If you misuse the gel badly and are sensitive to it, your gums could hurt afterward.
Talk To Your Dentist First
First, you should talk to your dentist. Using a whitening tray and whitening gel is less safe than using whitening strips. Using a tray rather than strips is easier to get hydrogen peroxide on your gums. A whitening tray is the closest thing to a professional cleaning you can get at home, but you must be careful.
Some people should not use whitening trays. If you have problems with your teeth, it might not be safe to whiten them yet, so ask your dentist first. Your dentist can also make a tray that fits your teeth. The best trays are custom-fit trays. You might ask your dentist to demonstrate how to use the tray and gel.
Listen to your dentist and read the instructions. Don’t assume you can use more gel than recommended or leave the tray in for longer. Bleaching agents are not harmless and can give you at least a small chemical burn if you use them wrongly.
It would be best to make your mouth as insensitive as possible before using a whitening tray. While you probably won’t burn your mouth, you will probably give yourself sensitive teeth for a few days. The sensitivity won’t be too bad if you desensitize your mouth first.
Use toothpaste for sensitive teeth (such as Sensodyne) starting about ten days before your treatment. It won’t work well if you brush with Sensodyne after you finish your treatment.
How To Use Teeth Whitening Gel
First, test the tray without any bleach in it. The rubber on the tray should touch your teeth but not go very far over your gums. Don’t use the tray if it goes over 4mm over your gum line.
The last thing you want is to get hydrogen peroxide all over your gums. Take the tray back to the dentist and get it reshaped, don’t use a tray that doesn’t fit properly.
Use a small amount of gel. You might fill each tooth groove in the tray individually. Fill each groove up only halfway. You could also make a line along the tray instead of filling each groove individually. Please don’t spread the gel around, as it will end up on your gums.
Again, only use a small amount of gel. About 0.5ml for either your top teeth or your bottom teeth is about right. Put the tray in your mouth and bite down firmly but not hard.
Don’t slide the tray back and forth too much, or the gel will leak out. If any gel leaks out of the tray while it is in your mouth, wipe it away. Don’t let the gel get on your gums; wipe it off if it does.
Be careful when you remove the tray so that you don’t spill any gel on your gums. Clean your mouth properly afterward. Brush, floss, and rinse. If there is any pain, which there might not be, brush your teeth with desensitizing toothpaste for a few minutes.
