If you’re wondering how long to keep teeth whitening trays in, we have the answer for you.
Teeth whitening trays are an easy way to get a whiter smile, but if you aren’t careful with them, they can cause damage to your gums and your teeth.
To avoid this problem, make sure you follow these simple tips:
-Don’t wear the trays longer than recommended by the manufacturer. The instructions will usually tell you how long they should be left on for each day of treatment. If they don’t say anything about this, then it’s best to leave them on for no more than 30 minutes at a time.
-Always use a professional whitener made by a dental professional or dentist. These products are designed specifically for home use and come with detailed instructions that explain exactly how long to wear them each day and how much time between treatments is needed.
In this article we will discuss about How to use teeth whitening trays and how to use teeth whitening gel without tray
How Long To Keep Teeth Whitening Trays In
about two hours
The mouth tray should be kept in the mouth for about two hours each use. People who develop sensitive teeth after starting whitening treatments should cut back to an hour per whitening session. Rinse afterward: Rinse with water after removing the mouth tray, and avoid brushing or flossing.
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 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.
How To Use Teeth Whitening Gel Without Tray
The first step should always be a dentist consultation. They will let you know if you’re a good candidate for teeth whitening at home. They will recommend effective whitening kits.
They can also custom-make trays for your teeth. This will help increase the efficiency of the treatment.
Most kits come with two trays for your jaws. It will also have the whitening gel. Some kits also have an LED light similar to the ones used by dentists.
Step 1: Thoroughly clean your teeth. You should brush and floss your teeth before applying the trays. This increases the effectiveness of the gel.
Step 2: Apply the whitening gel for your teeth to the tray. Most teeth whitening gels come in syringes. This makes it easier to line the tray. Make sure to not overfill the tray. If the gel touches your gums, it could cause irritation.
Step 3: Firmly attach the trays to your teeth. If any gel oozes out, wipe it off immediately. The wearing time for the tray changes based on the strength of the gel. But typically, you can wear the tray for 30 minutes – 1 hour per day.
If the kit also has an LED, shine the light on the tray per kit instructions. You may want to shield your eyes in case you’re sensitive to light.
Step 4: After the treatment duration, remove the trays and clean your teeth with cold water to remove stains. Don’t eat anything for at least 1 hour after the treatment. That’s why people prefer to use the kit before bedtime.
You should also clean the trays with cold water before storing them.
Tips for Effective Use
- Using extra gel doesn’t mean getting whiter teeth quicker. Make sure not to overfill the tray.
- You can store the gel in the refrigerator to increase its shelf life.
- Avoid smoking or eating food that stains your teeth, like tea or coke, during the treatment process.
- You can supplement the gel whitening treatment by also using a whitening toothpaste. But some kinds of toothpaste are too abrasive. So consult your dentist first before using it.
1. Are there any side effects?
There are no long-standing side effects to teeth whitening treatments. But, any product with peroxide, like the gel, can cause irritation in your gums. The irritation gets exacerbated if you use too much gel or an ill-fitting tray.
So always begin teeth whitening treatment at home with a trip to the dentist.
2. Will it affect my enamel?
Unless you have sensitive teeth or worn-down enamel, the whitening gel won’t affect your teeth. If you do have tooth sensitivity, consult the doctor before starting the treatment.
They can recommend kits with lower concentration gels that won’t aggravate the issue.
3. How often should I whiten my teeth with gel?
Most at-home teeth whitening kits have low-strength gel. So you can use them once a day daily for 10-15 days. If you start experiencing any irritation, stop usage and consult a doctor immediately.
4. What happens if you leave whitening gel on too long?
The effect of leaving the gel on for too long changes based on the active ingredient in the gel. A hydrogen peroxide-based gel is the safest. It won’t weaken your teeth or gums. But it may cause mild sensitivity.
If your gel has sodium chlorite in it, then beware. This ingredient can break down your enamel and make your teeth weaker. So always follow the box and dentists’ instructions when using a teeth whitening kit.
5. Am I a good candidate?
Teeth whitening is an effective treatment for most people. If you have yellowish teeth that are stained due to food, then a whitening treatment will help you. It works but is less effective for people with brown teeth.
But if you have veneers, implants, or discolouration due to medication or injury, then teeth whitening will not work for you.
Safety is the priority. So always consult a certified dentist before you being the teeth whitening treatment.