Have you ever wondered how long you should keep your teeth whitening gel on? Well, we have the answer for you!
To whiten your teeth, start by placing a small amount of teeth whitening gel into the tray(s). Carefully place the whitening tray(s) in your mouth, ensuring that it is seated all the way. Use your finger or a dry toothbrush to remove any excess gel from the gum tissue. Keep the tray in your mouth for 30-60 minutes to allow the gel to work its magic. Remember to follow the instructions provided with the whitening kit for best results. With consistent use, you can achieve a brighter, whiter smile in no time.
In this article, we will discuss about how to use teeth whitening trays and how long does teeth whitening gel last once opened.
How Long to Leave Opalescence 35 on Teeth
The short answer is that there’s no definitive answer. The length of time to leave the gel on will depend on a few different factors:
-How sensitive your teeth are to the bleaching agent in the gel. If you have very sensitive teeth, you may want to apply and rinse the gel off more frequently than someone with less sensitive teeth.
-The type of bleaching agent being used. Some gels contain peroxide, which can cause sensitivity if it stays on your teeth too long. Other gels use carbamide peroxide as their active ingredient and do not cause sensitivity. If you’re using one of these gels, then you can probably leave it on longer than one that contains peroxide.
-How much color change you want from your bleaching session. If you’re only trying to lighten your teeth by a few shades, then 10 minutes is probably enough time for any results at all (unless there are other factors involved). If you want dramatic results like we’ve seen with some of our patients here at [company name], then 30 minutes or more might be
Teeth whitening is a great way to improve the color of teeth. It is done using bleaching chemicals, like hydrogen peroxide, to whiten both the outer and inner layers of teeth. You might find yourself wondering how long you should wear your teeth whitening trays if you plan to use an at-home whitening kit safely and effectively.
How long a patient should wear their teeth whitening trays depends on a variety of factors, such as:
- The whitening product being used.
- How long it has been since the patient’s last whitening treatment.
- How sensitive the patient’s teeth are.
- The concentration percentage of the whitening gel (bleach/peroxide) you are using.
- The original shade of the patient’s teeth.
So how long should you leave whitening gel on your teeth?
As a general rule, it is recommended to leave whitening gel on your teeth for 30 minutes to 1 hour for first time users and increase the wearing time if there is little or no tooth sensitivity. If your teeth are stained or very yellow, it will take longer to bleach them. Plus, if you are not experiencing any sensitivity you may wear the trays for up to 2 hours.
It is also very important to remove all of the excess whitening gel materials around the gums after you are done, so that the leftover product doesn’t damage your teeth and gums or continue bleaching your teeth.
How to make the most of your whitening
Patients can speed up the process of whitening their teeth by:
- Using a whitening product with a higher concentration of hydrogen carbamide and hydrogen peroxide
- Using the maximum length of time recommended.
- Using products recommended by dentists
- Brushing their teeth before performing whitening treatments
While using a higher concentration of bleaching agents can lead to faster results, it also increases the odds of the person experiencing side effects, like teeth sensitivity. Although products with lower concentrations do not whiten teeth as fast as more concentrated ones do, they will eventually make the patient’s teeth just as white. Lower concentrations of bleaching agents are gentler on teeth, making them a better option for people with sensitive teeth.
Patients should also adjust the frequency of their treatment based on their comfort levels. It is an effective way to control the side effects of the procedure. People with sensitive teeth should wear their mouth tray using the lesser end of the guidelines the dentist provides. They should also do less frequent treatments.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Gel Last Once Opened
Teeth whitening gel can expire and it should not be used past the expiration date. This is not because it is dangerous and poses a threat to your general health. The problem is that the chemicals will not be effective after the expiration date, meaning it is of no use to you. Gel typically expires 12 months after purchase, though some gels may lack an expiration date on them. If you look at the gel and it looks like it has a foggy colour to it, it has expired and become oxidised. At this point, it will have no effect on whitening your teeth.
How To Use Teeth Whitening Trays
It is important that you apply the teeth whitening gel properly so you do not waste any of the gel and that you experience the least amount of sensitivity while using the gel.
1. Prior to Treatment: Brush and floss just prior to bleaching your teeth. The whitening gel is the most effective with clean teeth. Try the trays in first without any beach to check the fit and comfort. Make sure that the bleaching trays are clean and dry before applying the whitening gel. Moisture reduces the efficiency of the whitening gel and slows down the whitening process.
2. Applying the Bleaching Gel: When you apply the gel make sure not to fill the 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.
3. Inserting the Bleaching Trays: Insert whitening tray in the mouth over the teeth. Seat the tray firmly against the teeth. Wipe the excess gel which seeps over the brim of the tray onto your gums with your finger or a cotton swab. Wear the tray with the gel as directed below.
4. Wearing Time: We recommend wearing the tray with the bleach for 2 hours. If sensitivity develops – either wear for only 1 hour or use every other day. Wear both trays at the same time during bleaching process.
5. 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. For one hour following bleaching do not eat or drink things which may cause staining of the teeth (i.e. coffee, tea, berries, mustard).
6. Caring for Your Trays and Gel: Clean whitening trays with a toothbrush or Q-tip and cold water. Store trays in the tray holder and gel in cool dry place away from heat and direct sunlight. The gel may be refrigerated to prolong the shelf life, but do not freeze.
Dental whitening gel can be refrigerated for longer shelf life. Shelf life is 1 year un-refrigerated and 2 years refrigerated. These are general recommendations and may vary between manufacturers. Please read the manufacturer’s instructions. Use only in accordance with these instructions.