Gel Tooth Whitening – Know the Facts First

Gel tooth whitening is one method used to make the surface of your teeth whiter by removing surface debris. It works to restore the normal white color of the teeth which gradually becomes dull and discolored due to eating sugar or from coffee stains. Also, normal wear and tear from chewing breaks down the enamel which causes the core of the tooth to show through and dulls the color. Gel tooth whitening also known as bleaching, can help combat these problems.

There are three choices available when you want to use gel tooth whitening. You can get in-office treatment, buy a kit from your dentist, or buy a kit at the drugstore. Visiting your dentist can be the best option if you can afford it. A dentist is able to use the highest concentration of peroxide so you get several shades of whitening on just one visit. This is also the safest method. Your dentist has been trained in how to care for your teeth so he can minimize problems with tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.

Before beginning the gel tooth whitening procedure, your dentist will examine and clean your teeth to make sure they are healthy. Next, he will apply a rubber dam to your gums to protect them from the peroxide gel. He will then apply the thick peroxide whitening gel and leave it in place for 15 to 20 minutes. When the time is up, the gel is washed off and then reapplied until it has been in contact with your teeth for at least an hour.

The length of treatment will depend upon how well your teeth respond to the gel. All of your teeth may not need the reapplication, but stubborn stains may require the full 60 minutes of peroxide exposure. It is possible that you won’t get the desired results in one hour and in that case, your dentist may ask you to return at a later time for follow up treatments, or it may be determined that is the maximum whitening level for your teeth.

Although gel tooth whitening in the dentist’s office is effective, there are some disadvantages. The main one being the cost. In-office whitening is expensive and can cost up to $650. Another drawback is that the results can be unpredictable based upon age, the type of tooth stains, and heredity. Although it works for many, you may not get the results you want after paying a hefty fee. Also, in-office tooth whitening isn’t permanent so your dentist will probably advise you to continue with some type of home maintenance.

If you don’t want to spend as much money by going to your dentist they can dispense a take-home kit. The cost of the take-home kit ranges from $100 to $400. Many dentists agree that dentist-dispensed gel tooth whitening take-home kits provide the best results when used over extended periods of time. Such kits contain higher percentages of bleach than your average over-the-counter kits.

Dentist-dispensed kits consist of custom fitted application trays that keep the bleach in contact with the teeth. The gel can be fine tuned by your dentist to ensure proper concentration and loaded to the trays before use. Your dentist will instruct you as to proper use of the gel tooth whitening take-home kits.

You can also choose to buy get gel tooth whitening kits from the drugstore. These over-the-counter kits have the least amount of peroxide. Another drawback is they come with one size tray so you do not get a customized fit. Still, they are much more affordable being priced under $100, and they do a good job of whitening your teeth a few shades. Just don’t expect the results to be as good as or as rapid as the results you get when you visit your dentist for a teeth whitening treatment.

If you want to save money, but still get great results, then home whitening could be the option for you. This method of gel tooth whitening can really produce a smile to be proud of, if you know where to look for the right home kit!

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