Teeth whitening gels – How to choose teeth whitening trays

The use of whitening gel and trays has greatly simplified and protected the enamel lightening procedure. Neither the patient nor the doctor needs to independently prepare the composition and come up with ways to fix it. Ready-made kits for in-office and home whitening are offered by a number of manufacturers - White Light, Opalescence, Mira White, Pearl Smile, Global White.

To whiten teeth, you need to choose the most suitable system from the offered range (in terms of effectiveness, price, duration of the procedure) and apply it correctly.

What are whitening gels made of?

The main component of modern whitening gels is carbamide peroxide. Compared to hydrogen peroxide, which was used previously, it has a more gentle effect on tooth enamel.

Not only the effectiveness of bleaching, but also its safety depends on the concentration level of this substance.

Whitening gels for professional use (in a clinical setting), as a rule, have a high content of this component. In addition, some techniques involve heat or light exposure of the drug to increase the reaction rate (release of active oxygen).

“Homemade” whitening gels have a reduced concentration of the active ingredient and are used only in combination with teeth whitening trays.

To obtain a specific result, their longer use is required (at least 2 weeks, several sessions per day).

Reviews

Below are customer reviews, if you also have something to say, leave your review below in the comments.

Victor
I purchased an inexpensive teeth whitening kit from the White Kiss brand; it seemed to cost about 1,000 rubles. I didn't expect a "wow" effect from the set. The composition included 2 mouth guards, two tubes of gel and even toothpaste. I studied the instructions for a long time, but it turned out that there was nothing complicated. I wore the mouthguards for an hour, every day, for 2 weeks. The result began to be noticed after 7 days, the teeth became significantly whiter and more beautiful!

Angelina
I bought a Global White set for 600 rubles at the pharmacy. This is my third attempt to make friends with such dental products (before that I took other brands). I used the set for 10 days. I didn’t expect it, but my teeth whitened by 3 shades, and the sensitivity did not increase. I drink coffee often, several times a day. But the effect still lasts. I'll take another pack.

Ruslan
I bought a White Glo set at the pharmacy, the price pleased me - only 500 rubles. The set is designed for as many as 60 uses for 5 minutes a day. At first the gel got on my gums and it was unpleasant, but then I understood how to use it correctly after reading the instructions. The result began to be noticed after 2 weeks. Teeth became noticeably whiter.

Types of trays for teeth whitening

Mouthguards for teeth whitening are special pocket linings that are worn during the period of action of the whitening composition. There are several types of mouth guards:

standard;
thermoplastic;
individual.

Standard trays for teeth whitening are made using standard impressions and are therefore not very comfortable. They are inexpensive and included in most home whitening systems.

Thermoplastic mouth guards can be customized to fit your individual jaw structure. Under the influence of heat, they become soft and are easy to model with your hands.

Individual mouth guards are made using professional equipment using impressions made by a doctor. They fit the teeth perfectly, increasing the comfort and effectiveness of the whitening procedure.

Treatment Options

Teeth whitening with trays can be carried out according to different programs:

Standard (basic). Has the most affordable price. A person buys a universal device at a pharmacy and uses it according to the instructions. This therapy is the most risky. It is not suitable for all patients and often causes allergies. Because the plate does not fit perfectly into the rows, the bleach solution may leak out of the plate. Then irritation of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity occurs, and small ulcers appear.
Thermoplastic. Involves the use of elements that, after heating, change their shape and size. You just need to dip the product in hot water and put it on immediately. It will “suck” tightly, and after cooling it will retain its new shape. Thermoplastic products are much safer than standard ones. When used correctly, the likelihood of irritation of the mucous membranes is minimized.
Individual. An option that is suitable for patients who want to get the perfect result. Is the most expensive. Mouthguards are made based on a cast of the jaws. Due to this, they perfectly fit each unit, securely hold the lightening gel inside, and do not irritate the mucous membranes. It is very convenient to use individual products. True, their cost is not low.

How to choose a teeth whitening gel

Many whitening systems can be purchased without a prescription at a pharmacy or specialty store. They are all supposed to be safe, but...!

Before purchasing, be sure to consult a doctor. How a whitening gel will work, even the most gentle one, can only be predicted after a preliminary dental examination.
If the enamel is highly sensitive or damaged (chips, cracks), it is advisable to entrust the choice of remedy to a doctor. The dentist will be able to select a whitening gel that will not harm the patient.
If there are no dental problems, then you can use universal systems, for example, the professional Zoom kit.

Whitening gels at home must be used exactly according to the instructions, otherwise the least you can do is waste your money, and what is more dangerous is getting burns to soft tissues and damaging the enamel.

Features of the technique

The patient is offered products made from hypoallergenic and biocompatible materials, so wearing them does not harm his health. Most often, plates are made from:

plastic;
silicone;
gel-like composite.

Under no circumstances should they be worn on a regular basis. Whitening should be carried out in short courses. Otherwise, the enamel will be damaged. Deep cracks will appear on its surface. Pathogenic microorganisms will begin to multiply in them, which will lead to caries and pulpitis.

How to apply whitening gel

The method for using the whitening gel is developed by the manufacturer.

At home, you can use the American White Light system - the gel is applied to the mouthguard in two layers and “activated” using an LED lamp.
White&Perfect whitening is carried out by a doctor who applies the composition to all teeth one by one. The procedure requires accuracy and control over the duration of action.
The Global White system includes a gel for whitening sensitive teeth. It is applied with a cotton swab or brush, and can be used with a mouth guard. Potassium nitrate, which is included in its composition, protects the enamel and helps strengthen it.
Gels from the gentle category can be used without drops. They are shaped like a pencil with a brush at the end. This is how, for example, Teeth Whitening Pen (USA) is applied, which is more intended to maintain whiteness than to achieve it.
The use of the Opalescence TresWhite kit (USA) does not require any manipulation from the user other than the formation of trays. They are made in the form of boxes filled with gel, which, after pre-molding, are simply put on the teeth.

Who is contraindicated for home lightening?

The method cannot be used:

in working with children under the age of eighteen, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people who had an extraction less than four weeks ago;
if you have a piercing in your mouth;
for untreated diseases of teeth and gums;
when serving poorly disciplined patients who ignore medical prescriptions.

It is also prohibited to perform whitening if the patient is allergic to the dental material that needs to be used.

Contraindications to the use of whitening gels

The list of contraindications increases or decreases depending on the composition of the bleaching agent. Limitations that apply to all systems:

pregnancy and breastfeeding;
age up to 18 years (for some species - up to 20 years);
infectious diseases of the oral cavity;
damaged periodontal tissues;
high tooth mobility;
allergy to carbamide peroxide.

For sensitive teeth, you can choose mild preparations with remineralizing components.

Disadvantages of the method

Important! When using such pads, the following points must be taken into account, which may cause discomfort:

The product must be used regularly (daily).
Physical discomfort when wearing , difficulty pronouncing certain words.
Possibility of irritation due to the bleaching gel getting into the oral mucosa or into the digestive system.
Some stains cannot be lightened.
In some cases, increased tooth sensitivity .
Possible abnormal functioning of the jaw joints.

Advantages of whitening systems with trays

The advent of whitening systems with trays has greatly simplified and protected the procedure for lightening enamel.

They are easy to use at home, and there is no need to set aside a specific time for the procedure.
All drugs have undergone clinical trials, so if the instructions for use are strictly followed, they do not cause relapses.
Whitening with trays is significantly cheaper than an in-office procedure.
The result of lightening is from two to ten tones.

Pros and cons of the technique

To make it easier to understand whether this dental program is right for you, we will list its main advantages and disadvantages. The first include:

availability;
the ability to independently carry out all procedures;
high efficiency;
bleaching occurs immediately from the outside and inside;
possibility of personal selection of gel and production of individual plates.

Among the disadvantages:

You will still have to visit the dentist’s office;
while wearing a mouth guard, you cannot talk, eat, or drink;
incorrect application of the gel and wearing the plates for too long cause irritation of the gums and mucous membranes;
long term events.

In any case, you can only answer the question “to be or not to be” together with your dentist. Therefore, be sure to visit your doctor before purchasing the kit from the pharmacy.

Why shouldn't you expect a wow effect?

Professional dentists confirm the fact that when using aligners, the patient should not expect a radical transformation and the acquisition of a snow-white Hollywood smile. The maximum you can lighten the enamel in this way is 2-4 shades, and then only if you have prepared for the procedures and have undergone professional oral hygiene.

If you really pursue the goal of making your smile 4-12 shades lighter, then there is no alternative to professional whitening methods. But mouth guards after in-office procedures are quite suitable for maintaining the results at a high level for many years of life.

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whitening

According to the website of the official manufacturer revyline.ru

Expert “Along with certain advantages, mouthguards for home whitening also have disadvantages. Many of those who used the devices without consulting a doctor remain disappointed, because... They note that the stains on the enamel are still preserved, the shade remains the same. It’s better to use trays to maintain the results of in-office whitening – it will be much more effective and safer.” Dental hygienist Victoria Nikolaevna Kashaeva

Consulting specialist

Kashaeva Victoria Nikolaevna

Specialization: Dental hygienist Experience: 8 years

"Transparent" diet

During the entire course, it is necessary to follow a “transparent” diet, that is, categorically exclude coloring products and tobacco smoke. If you feel discomfort in your teeth or gums, you should interrupt the session and consult a doctor for advice. It is possible that you will be advised to stop the procedures for some time, reduce the frequency of sessions or the duration of wearing the trays. If you accidentally swallow the gel, do not panic - it does not pose a danger to the body. After a whitening session, white spots may appear on your teeth, do not be discouraged - the color will even out over time. Also note that whitening areas along the gum line usually take longer to whiten.