Teeth Whitening Kits: A Dentist’s Checklist Before Buying
Teeth whitening kits work for the right type of tooth staining, and only if your teeth are healthy enough to withstand the effects of peroxide. 3 things are a must to check before you buy: what caused the discoloration, gel concentration, and how the gel stays on your teeth. How to work out if everything is a right fit for your teeth and gums is explained in detail in our Complete Teeth Whitening System.
Check No. 1: What Caused The Discoloration
Every whitening product works best when the cause is known, because you will know what you’re working with.
Surface or deeper? Tea, coffee, smoking, slow yellowing due to aging, or internal staining.
So whitening kits may not work best if you have:
- White spots are often mild fluorosis, caused during teeth formation.
- Grayish teeth from antibiotics taken in childhood.
- One tooth darker than the rest, often indicated internal problems, and therefore, not a surface stain.
- Crowns, veneers and white fillings, because they will not change color at all.
Check No. 2: Strength of the Gel
Whitening kits use hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or carbamide peroxide, which breaks down into H2O2. 10% carbamide gel is roughly 3.5% hydrogen peroxide, due to the nature of how they break down when used.
Stronger concentrations do work faster, but it also has higher chances of causing sensitivity. In Europe and The UK, an OTC kit cannot have more than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide by law, and anything stronger has to come through a dentist professionally.
However, whitening kits sold online elsewhere often have far stronger concentration, and the labels don’t always tell by how much. In the US, the FDA treats most peroxide whitening products as cosmetics, so there is no such legal limit.
Check No. 3: How the Gel Stays on Your Teeth
The way a kit holds the gel in place will decide your results and the side effects as well.
- Strips: Sit flat on the front teeth (upper & lower) and stay put, but if teeth have crowding, results will be inconsistent.
- One-size trays: These have a loose fitting. Gel may squeeze onto the gums and may get swallowed, so a little caution has to be exercised.
- Boil-and-bite trays: Trays which you soften in hot water and bite into for a better fit; they are better than one-sized, but custom made trays from a dentist professionally are a better fit.
- Trays made by a dentist professionally: For the most even result at home. They have a thin, even layer of gel exactly where it is needed.
The time gel is applied to the tooth matter more than the blue LED mouthpiece, which may just add up the cost, with little effect on the speed of whitening or actual results.
Using small amounts, avoid overfilling, to keep the gums safe, and if this happens, rinse thoroughly, before trying again, the white patch will clear away in a few hours.
When to Consider a Dental Checkup Before Using a Kit
A few things to consider before any whitening decision:
- A cavity, a crack, or an old filling.
- Bleeding or receding gums.
- Teeth that already have sensitivity.
These are the weak spots where peroxide can reach the nerve most easily, and cause more harm than good.
Pregnant or nursing individuals should postpone whitening for safety.
FAQs
Do teeth whitening kits actually work?
On surface stains; Yes, but an internal discoloration needs a different approach.
Are LED whitening kits better?
Not really, the gel does the whitening, and LED light adds little value to the actual results.
What is teeth whitening mousse?
A whitening foam you brush onto your teeth, but because it only stays on for a short time, it mostly lifts surface stain rather than bleaching the tooth.
How long do whitening kit results last?
Usually several months, and longer if you cut down on tea, coffee and smoking.
Can a whitening kit damage my teeth?
On healthy teeth when used as directed, damage is unlikely; however sensitivity is common and temporary.
Choose the Right Kit for the Right Stain
Most money on whitening is wasted because of the wrong type of treatment choice, that was never meant for teeth. Our Complete Teeth Whitening System helps you work all of this out for your stain type, check if your teeth are ready, and choose which method is the safest for you.
If you have facial swelling, fever alongside tooth pain, pain spreading towards your eyes or neck, trouble swallowing, or limited mouth opening, contact your dentist and seek urgent care immediately.