When we have white teeth and they appear when we smile it can greatly affect our self-confidence. Having always whiter and healthier teeth might not be as easy as it seems. The majority of people have yellow and stained teeth due to the foods and drinks they consume. This common problem of yellow and stained teeth can be solved with the help of teeth whitening gels. A teeth whitening gel that you can purchase without a prescription or the one that your dentist prescribes can help you to have whiter and brighter teeth. If you want to have brighter and whiter teeth while applying a safe and healthy method at home you should first listen to your dentist’s advice.
What is a teeth whitening gel?
It is quite normal to be concerned about the content of the teeth whitening gels that are highly preferred. teeth whitening gels contain bleaching components that are suitable for the teeth enamel and oral flora. In addition, many of the teeth whitening gels that you come across contain hydrogen peroxide and some additional ingredients to improve the performance of whitening and taste.
Common ingredients of teeth whitening gels
One of the most common ingredients used in many teeth whitening gels is carbamide peroxide which is a bleaching medium found in many dental products. Carbamide peroxide is a source of hydrogen peroxide that reacts with the existing stains on the teeth and changes their chemical structure, it helps the discoloration and bleaches the teeth.
As the American Dental Association (ADA) states, hydrogen peroxide as well as removing the stains on the surface of the teeth helps for deep discoloration.
The dentist might prescribe some carbamide peroxide as a slow-acting bleach to use at home. During the first appointment, your dentist will measure your mouth and in the following visits, you will receive some whitening gels to apply to your teeth regularly. The fast-acting whitening gels that the dentist uses in the clinic contain higher levels of hydrogen peroxide (between %15%38). This will be more effective and it is much faster than the bleaching at home, however, it also may cause more sensitivity to your teeth.
Most teeth whitening products also have additional ingredients that reduce the level of sensitivity. The two most common ingredients are potassium nitrate and amorphous calcium phosphate which both have been shown to reduce sensitivity, according to ADA post-whitening sensitivity is usually temporary.
Teeth whitening for kids
Teeth whitening gels can bleach the teeth and remove the staşns effectively but they are not suitable for everyone. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that parents should wait until all the milk teeth of the child have fallen out before whitening, and should carefully read the product label for recommended ages and direction.
In addition, everyone should consult with their dentist before using any teeth whitening gels. For those with teeth with very dark stains, crowded teeth, or filled teeth, the result might not turn out very good from the whitening gel products that are randomly sold at the market. your dentist can suggest the best way for you according to your teeth.
Tips for home use
Make sure to visit your dentist before starting the whitening treatment with the whitening gel. To make sure the tray fits the outline of your mouth they will make a special one for you and the correct way to use the whitening gel will be explained to you. For example, you should always brush your teeth before starting the treatment and applying the gel. Depending on the product you may need to wear the tray for several hours during the day or overnight. Your dentist may recommend you to use the mouth tray for about two week period for the best result. You should be careful not to swallow any of the gel. You can gently remove any residue that might be left on your teeth and gums with a cloth clean finger or a soft toothbrush and then rinse your mouth perfectly with water.
The side effects of teeth whitening gels
Sometimes people have some concerns about the safety of whitening products. According to ADA the common teeth whitening products such as strips or gels that are peroxide-based can irritate the gums. This might happen when the gel is not applied correctly to the teeth or is used with an unfit tray.
Teeth whitening can also cause sensitivity in the teeth. However, both irritation and sensitivity are usually temporary and will be over after the treatment. The best way to avoid and prevent these side effects is to apply the treatment under a dentist’s supervision.
Teeth whitening is a great way to achieve brighter and whiter teeth, so you can ask your dentist if you are suitable for teeth whitening. for having a whiter smile floss your teeth and brush your teeth twice a day with a whitening toothpaste. Try to keep up with your dental appointments. In a professional cleaning of the surface stains, polishing is also very important. It just takes a little effort to say goodbye to the yellow teeth and say hello to a fresh new smile!
