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Tray Based Bleaching Solutions

One type of product that is available for in home tooth whitening treatment is a tooth bleaching solution. You can get a kit for this through your dentist or over the counter from a pharmacy or drugstore.

Bleaching solutions often contain a kind of peroxide, which actually bleaches the enamel layer of the tooth – it doesn’t just remove the stain on the surface of the tooth, it changes and brightens the color of the tooth itself. This can be disturbing if you have a bond or a white filling in a tooth, as these become more obvious against your newly brightened teeth.

The peroxide commonly used in these solutions is not the same as the peroxide you may have at home, hydrogen peroxide. The bleaching agent in these solutions is a carbamide peroxide, which is a form of hydrogen peroxide. This is available in several different concentrations. It may be best to obtain the whitening kit from your dentist, if possible. If not, try to choose a bleaching solution that contains 10% carbamide peroxide. The kits available from the dentist are the only ones that have received a seal of approval from the American Dental Association.

To do the home based bleaching, you will need a mouthguard style tray that the gel is placed in. You can get a custom made tray made for you at your dentist’s office, or choose a kit that comes with a tray. Some of the over the counter tray based systems come with a somewhat customizeable tray, which can be an advantage as a tray that fits your teeth better will prevent gum irritation.

Squirt or spread the gel into the mouthguard, and apply carefully to your teeth. Some teeth whitening kits require you to do this a couple of times a day for up to a fortnight, and will have instructions on how long to leave the trays in your mouth for. Other bleaching kits require you to put the trays in overnight for between one and two weeks.

You may need to do these treatments for longer in order for them to have an effect, for example if your tooth discoloration originates from smoking.

Be careful not to let the solution touch the soft tissue in the sides of your mouth and your gums. This will cause irritation, and can happen if your mouth tray doesn’t fit properly. Talk to your dentist if this becomes a concern for you.

One other side effect you may need to discuss with your dentist is teeth sensitivity.

During, and perhaps after the treatment period, you might feel an increase in tooth sensitivity to hot and cold. This is quite common but should still be noted and mentioned to your dentist, especially if it does not diminish soon after you stop the treatment. This sensitivity should eventually go away. If sensitivity begins soon after you start the treatment, decrease the frequency of the treatments – instead of twice per day, try once per day, or overnight treatments can be done every second night.

Even after bleaching, your teeth can still yellow. Keep your pearly white smile by maintaining good dental hygiene, but avoid using another abrasive or bleaching treatment for several months after, as you do not want to increase tooth sensitivity. Avoid foods that cause tooth discoloration, and brush and floss regularly.