If you suffer from stained teeth, whitening is an essential solution to restore a bright and confident smile. There are serval ways to enhance the appearance of your teeth and at-home whitening kits are one of them. They are a popular choice because of the ease of use and producing effective results just as good as in-house whitening but without the clinic visit or the hefty price tag.
If you use a teeth whitening kit to enhance your smile, there are five ways to get more out of your kit. Keep reading to find out how to maximize the results of your whitening kit!
What Is A Teeth Whitening Kit?
A comprehensive kit will come with all the equipment necessary to carry on an at-home teeth whitening session. One advanced variation includes LED bulbs that amplify the whitening effects. However, most versions come without them. At-home teeth whitening kits typically include the following:
- Whitening gel pens or syringes
- Mouth Tray
- LED ( Light Emitting Diode) bulbs
- Shade Guide
- Instructions
Teeth whitening kits like those offered by Smilepath come with a complete at-home whitening solution. They provide an affordable alternative to in-office whitening and are more effective than traditional whitening methods as well as over-the-counter options.
How To Use A Teeth Whitening Kit?
Depending on the instructions, either the teeth are coated with the gel or the mouth tray is lined with it and then placed on the teeth and exposed to LED light. The action of active ingredients in the gel is amplified after exposure to LED light which is left on for up to 20 minutes. Here’s how you use a teeth whitening kit step by step:
- Cleanse: Brush your teeth thoroughly and make sure they are dry.
- Apply Gel: Apply a thin layer of gel to the mouth tray for both the upper and lower arch.
- Fit Tray: Attach the mouth tray to the LED device and position it in your mouth.
- Activate Light: Turn on the LED light and relax for 30 minutes.
- Rinse: Remove the tray and rinse your mouth.
5 Hacks To Use Your Teeth Whitening Kit
Using a teeth whiting kit is simple, but follow these tips to get the most out of your whitening experience and enhance your outcome:
1. Use an LED Teeth Whitening Kit
If you have been using the basic teeth whitening kit, without the LED bulbs, you have to try out the LED bulb variation. LED not only amplifies the whitening power of your gel but also accelerates the whole process. Within a few sessions, you can achieve professional results right at your home.
2. Prep Your Teeth
It is important to use a whitening gel on clean teeth. Food particles left on teeth may react with the whitening gel or hinder the gel from reaching the surface of the teeth and cause uneven coloration. Therefore brush your teeth and preferably floss too before the process.
3. Dedicate Time
Depending on the brand and the type of teeth whitening method you choose it usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes per session. Make sure you pick a time and place with the least distractions so that you can carry on uninterrupted with your session.
4. Wait Out Between Applications
If your kit requires back-to-back sessions for 5 to seven days and you have sensitive teeth, you don’t actually have to do it every single day. It is perfectly fine to miss a day or two between your whitening sessions. Same results, and lesser chances for sensitivity.
5. Use Vitamin E Oil or a Desensitizing Gel
If you ever get the gel on your gums, don't panic. Simply apply some vitamin E oil on the gums to ease the burning sensation.If you feel your teeth are sensitive right after you’ve done a whitening treatment use a desensitizing gel to aid in recovery.
Care Tips
Whereas the abovementioned hacks work great, for a lasting whitening effect on your teeth, we strongly advise you to follow these care tips:
- Follow a regular oral health routine of brushing twice daily and flossing at least once daily.
- Visit your dentist for regular dental cleanings and checkups.
- Avoid smoking and dark-colored beverages or foods that can stain your teeth.
- Use a straw when drinking coffee, tea, or red wine to help reduce contact with your teeth.
- Get enough calcium in your diet to provide your teeth and bones with the strength and protection they need from the inside.
- Use over-the-counter whitening toothpaste at least once a day
- Store your teeth whitening gels away from direct sunlight which might break the active ingredients in the gel.
Teeth whitening can enhance your smile and boost your confidence. However, if you have an underlying health condition that contributes towards teeth discoloration it is recommended to address these concerns first.
Keep up with a good oral hygiene habit and use the care tips we discussed along with the hacks to get the best out of your at-home teeth whitening treatment.
FAQs
It is safe to whiten your teeth while undergoing a clear aligner straightening treatment.
It is recommended that you don’t undergo a whitening treatment while you have your metal braces on, it will lead to uneven whitening as the gel won’t get to the corners around the brackets.
You can either opt for in-office whitening or get an at-home LED teeth whitening kit.