Ismile is an at-home teeth whitening kit that offers a quick, convenient option for achieving a brighter smile. The kit contains everything you need to get started, including the gel that you apply to your teeth and the light that helps activate the gel. The kit also comes with a mouth tray and instructions on how to use it. The tray holds your lips away from your teeth while you apply the gel, which ensures that you won’t accidentally swallow any of it.
Once you’ve applied the gel and put on the tray, all you have to do is wait for 20 minutes while the gel works its magic. Then rinse out your mouth with warm water before moving on to step two: shining up your new smile.
How to Use Ismile Teeth Whitening Kit
Many coffee lovers rely on coffee to kickstart their day. Over time, you might have realized the price your teeth have paid to enjoy your cup of joe. The stains on your teeth make them lose their natural whiteness. However, there are several ways that you can remove the coffee stains on your teeth.
How to Eliminate Coffee Stains on Teeth
Apart from brushing your teeth regularly, which might not be working as you wanted, there are other ways to remove coffee stains from your teeth.
1. Professional care
To reclaim the whiteness of your teeth and that hidden smile, visit your dentist for a professional cleaning. On some occasions, this might involve some polishing to remove the stains on the top layer of your teeth.
The other option would be bleaching, which is a professional tooth whitening treatment. This process will lighten the shade of your teeth. To keep your teeth from staining after the process, keep using a whitening toothpaste. Additionally, brush your teeth at least twice in a day.
2. Teeth-whitening kit
You can talk to your dentists to get a whitening kit that you can use from the comfort of your own home. Most of these methods use a hydrogen peroxide solution. This means that you have to be careful and follow the instructions to the best of your ability. There are two types of kits that you can purchase: Liquid packs or teeth-whitening strips.
Liquid packs: There is one for the upper set of teeth and another for the lower set. All you need to do is apply the solution on the guards provided. The kit includes syringes for this purpose. Then place the guard over your teeth and leave it there as directed. After this, all you need to do is rinse your teeth and brush them as usual.
Teeth-whitening strips: If you decide to use the strips, the first step will be to apply the solution to your teeth. Instead of using the guard like with the gel packs, you will use the strips. Leave the teeth-whitening strips on as directed in the instructions. Then, proceed to rinse and brush your teeth.
It is very important for you to use teeth-whitening kits when you have some time to spare. Failure to follow these instructions could lead to damage to your enamel. Due to the hydrogen peroxide present in these kits, prolonged use could lead to damage of the teeth and gums.
3. A mix of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda
As an oxidizer, hydrogen peroxide stimulates the enamel to give up the coffee particles that cause stains on the teeth. Baking soda, on the other hand, increases this reaction. To make the mixture, add a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in a clean empty container. Then add baking soda and stir until you have a paste.
Apply the paste on your teeth, leave it there for 15-20 minutes then brush with your regular paste. The results might not show up immediately but after 2-3 weeks you will see a difference.
To remove the coffee stains on your teeth today, visit your dentist for teeth-whitening treatment, buy a teeth-whitening kit or make your own mix at home.
I Smile Teeth Whitening Reviews
Teeth whitening is amongst one of the most popular procedures in dentistry. Teeth whitening makes teeth appear whiter, stain-free and makes the smile more aesthetically pleasing.
There is a wide range of home-based teeth whitening products like toothpastes, films, and gels. Teeth whitening performed by dentist consists of bleaching agents. These bleaching agents are high in chemical composition and need to be applied carefully by a dentist.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
The active component in most of the chemical teeth whitening products is composed of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which is released in the form of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Carbamide peroxide is a stable compound which disintegrates when contacted with water and releases hydrogen peroxide. Bleaching is a chemical process which removes chromogens responsible for tooth staining. Chromogens either accumulate superficially on the tooth structure causing extrinsic stains or slowly settle under the teeth leading to internal or intrinsic stains. Broadly, chromogens are classified into two groups:
- Chromogens which are composed of large organic compounds and contain conjugated double bonds
- Chromogens which are primarily composed of metal compounds
Tooth bleaching of chromogens, which are primarily composed of organic compounds, involves the dissolution of double bonds present in the organic chromogens. It has been observed that bleaching chromogens which are metallic in nature are tougher when compared to bleaching the organic chromogens.
Other options that are available to bleach metallic chromogens include tooth veneers or crowns. There is a wide range of teeth whitening products available to remove the stains. Selection of the whitening product usually depends upon the type of stain requiring the removal. However, broadly they are classified as:
- Cleansers like certain toothpastes which are chiefly composed of detergents and abrasives which help in the removal of chromogens from the tooth surfaces
- Bleaching agents which undergo a reaction with chromogens and lighten the color of discolored teeth
- Products which have both cleansing and bleaching reaction.
Home-based whitening kits are primarily suitable to lighten the milder stains, whereas harder stains are usually treated by a dentist. Treatment of end-point for teeth whitening depends on the time for which the bleaching agent is exposed and the extent of its concentration.
According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, teeth whitening agents that can be used at home are:
Whitening Toothpastes
These pastes are primarily composed of large amounts of abrasives and detergents. These are primarily composed of low amounts of carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide that aid in tooth lightening. However, these pastes do not have bleaching agents like sodium hypochlorite for lightening teeth. A recommended usage makes the teeth appear 1-2 shades lighter.
Over the Counter Whitening Strips and Gels
Whitening Strips are plastic strips which are fabricated in a way that they appropriately fit in the buccal or outer visible portions of the teeth. They slowly release peroxide gel which aid in teeth whitening. They are recommended for self-application and can be applied for a span of 30 minutes for 2 weeks. Whitening gels contain peroxide and can be applied on the tooth surface with the help of a brush and are usually instructed to be self-applied two times a day. Strips and gels also make the teeth appear one to two shades lighter.
Woman applying a whitening strip on her teeth. Image Credit: antoniodiaz / Shutterstock
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Whitening Rinses
These oral rinses are composed of oxygen constituents like hydrogen peroxide and eventually react with the chromogens. Rinsing with them is recommended two times a day for about 60 secs. Tooth lightening is usually observed after 3 months of regular usage.
Tray-Based Teeth Whiteners
These trays can be both self applied or professionally by a dentist. A well fitted tray containing carbamide peroxide-bleaching gel can be applied for 2 to 4 hours during the day time or while sleeping over the night. This type of tooth lightening product also makes the teeth appear 1-2 shades lighter.
Adverse Effects of Teeth Whitening
At home teeth whitening procedures are generally safe for use; however, they do pose some adverse effects if they are not judiciously or cautiously used.
A long-term and unwarranted use of teeth whitening products can severely affect dental health. These products should never be used without the advice of a trained dental professional. Also, they must be applied for the recommended time frame only which usually lasts for 14 days.
The user must also not rely on all the teeth whitening products available in the market. It is advisable to use the products suggested by a registered dentist or products which holds the seal of America Dental Association or a local government body which makes these products licensed to be sold in the market.
Here is a list of few adverse effects of teeth whitening products if they are not applied correctly:
- Teeth become sensitive after a prolonged usage
- Periodontal problems like mild gingival irritation
- Loss of mineral content of teeth
- Increased risk for demineralization of teeth
- Damage to the pulp of the teeth
- Tooth erosion
Even though, teeth whitening makes teeth appear whiter and stain-free; however, recent research has indicated potential long-term hazards and side effects associated with this procedure like discoloration and damage of dental fillings.
Hydrogen Peroxide Teeth Whitening Side Effects
How long it takes hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth depends on the teeth condition, the reason for discoloration, and the type of treatment used.
How long it takes hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth depends on three things, including:
- Condition of the teeth
- Reason for discoloration of the teeth
- Type of treatment you want (at-home kits or in-office treatment)
Sessions conducted at a dentist’s office depend on the concentration of hydrogen peroxide.
- The more the concentration, the fewer the sessions required.
- However, more concentration is associated with a risk of greater damage.
- Instead, experts recommend using lower concentrations and shorter treatment times to avoid damage to the teeth.
Professional teeth-whitening treatment typically takes 3-4 weeks to whiten your teeth.
For over-the-counter and in-home teeth-whitening kits to work, it will take at least a month of wearing mouthpieces every night before the whitening effect sets in. The duration of obtaining results depends on how white your teeth are when you initiate the treatment.
How do you use hydrogen peroxide as a teeth whitener?
You can either use homemade mouthwash recipes using household ingredients, try over-the-counter whitening kits, or get teeth whitening done from a dentist.
Homemade mouthwash recipes involve swishing hydrogen peroxide solution around your mouth or applying a paste of hydrogen peroxide mixed with baking soda on your teeth followed by rinsing it off. You must, however, exercise caution because this may damage your dental enamel.
Homemade hydrogen peroxide mouthwash
- Mix three percent hydrogen peroxide (one part) and water (two parts).
- Shake the ingredient mixture thoroughly and use it as a mouthwash.
- Spit it out the moment you feel a burning sensation and take care not to swallow the solution.
Hydrogen peroxide paste
- Take one teaspoon of baking soda and two teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide in a dish.
- Mix the soda and peroxide with a spoon.
- Apply the paste to your teeth in a circular motion with the help of a toothbrush for two minutes.
- Swish water around your mouth until the whole paste is rinsed off completely.
Additionally, there are plenty of store-bought options, including:
- Teeth-whitening kits
- Teeth-whitening strips
- Teeth-whitening pens
- Teeth-whitening mouthwash
- Teeth-whitening toothpaste
Most of these options contain hydrogen peroxide diluted to about three percent. The amount of hydrogen peroxide in office-based whitening treatments varies, with the maximum concentration being 10%.
If you want quicker results than the above two methods but maintain good oral health, you always have the option of getting tooth whitening treatments from a professional.
Are there any side effects of teeth whitening with hydrogen peroxide?
Although hydrogen peroxide can make your teeth a few shades whiter, you must know the risks before you opt for any of the methods of using it.
Teeth whitening with hydrogen peroxide can produce side effects such as:
- Teeth sensitivity
- Gum irritation
- Enamel and tooth damage
- Vomiting from accidental ingestion
- Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach)
- Colitis (inflammation of the bowel)
Some of these side effects, such as enamel and tooth damage, are usually because of using a higher concentration. Always be careful while handling hydrogen peroxide of any concentration.
Side effects such as tooth sensitivity can be caused with any concentration. If you are experiencing any of these side effects, discontinue using hydrogen peroxide and contact your dentist.
What causes tooth discoloration?
There are two types of staining that cause tooth discoloration: intrinsic and extrinsic staining.
- Intrinsic staining, also known as internal staining, is caused by heredity, age, antibiotics, excessive fluoride levels, and developmental abnormalities and can begin before the tooth has erupted. Some dental restorations may induce tooth discoloration after the tooth has erupted.
- Extrinsic staining, also known as external staining, is caused due to environmental factors such as smoking, excessive consumption of tea, coffee, wine, and certain foods, antibiotics, and metals such as iron or copper. Colored substances from various sources are absorbed into dental pellicles or directly onto the tooth surface, resulting in staining.
