How to Use Teeth Whitening Kits At Home
Have you been thinking about getting a teeth whitening treatment but don’t have the time for in-clinic procedures? Don’t go running for the generic supermarket options just yet. We’re here with another option that provides professional-grade and lasting results with custom-made teeth whitening trays. Made for your teeth and with a whitening gel recommended by your dentist, take-home teeth whitening offers an ideal solution for safely whitening your teeth at home to get the shade you desire. If you want to learn how to get whiter teeth at home with take-home treatments, we’re here with all the information you need. Read our guide to learn more.
Can All Types of Tooth Stains be Removed?
Ageing, wear and tear, coloured food and drinks are some things that can affect your tooth colour. However, while some stains can easily be kept at bay with diligent at-home care and preventive dental care, others can permanently stain your teeth, making them look dull and discoloured. This is why it’s important to understand the types of stains, their reasons, and how to remove them.
There are two types of tooth stains. Extrinsic stains and Intrinsic stains
Extrinsic stains are on the surface of the teeth and are caused by teeth-staining foods and beverages like tea, coffee, wine, berries, and more. Smoking and poor oral hygiene can also cause these stains. These stains are easier to remove as they will all come off with a professional teeth clean.
Intrinsic stain is the colour that comes from inside your tooth. It may be caused by internal factors such as certain medications, genetics or aging. Sometimes it’s just the natural yellowish colour that you were born with. Intrinsic stains can not be removed by a professional teeth clean. Intrinsic colour can only be changed by professional teeth whitening which whitens the tooth from the inside. Some colours are more easily lightened than others. Generally more yellowish colours whiten really well whereas greyish tones take longer for any whitening effect to work
For the best results, it’s recommended to get a professional dental cleaning done before whitening. This removes the plaque and tartar buildup and any extrinsic stains, ensuring a smoother enamel surface and better absorption for the whitening gel.
At Whitehorse Dental, we recommend a professional cleaning at least three months before your teeth whitening treatment for optimal results. Regular dental checkups and cleaning also allow us to detect any potential problem early before it can progress, ensuring healthy teeth before your teeth whitening treatment.
Professional Take-Home Teeth Whitening Kits
Professional take-home teeth whitening kits use custom-fit, clear trays created by taking impressions of your teeth using moulds. These trays are thin and comfortable and are worn over your teeth with some whitening tell inside them. The gel strength can be mixed according to your preferred usage and desired shade. You can opt for a lower-strength gel suitable for overnight use or a stronger one for a two-hour daily application. This offers more flexibility per your routine, allowing individuals with sensitive teeth a safer tooth whitening option.
Take-home teeth whitening trays can be used for as long as it takes to help you achieve the shade you want. They can also be used for maintaining your teeth after treatment. All it takes is one session to the dentist to give you teeth impressions and a second one to pick your trays and whitening gel. Then, you can easily whiten your teeth at home, getting a whiter smile with results that last.
Our Blackburn clinic offers the take-home professional whitening kit for only $189. We have invested in technology to allow us to make the custom trays in-house, allowing us to pass on the savings to our patients.
Why Choose Professional Teeth Whitening Kits?
Professional teeth whitening kits may seem more expensive than the ones available at stores and online. However, they provide many more benefits than these standardised options.
Some of the benefits of professional take-home teeth whitening kits include:
Customisation
Professional take-home teeth whitening kits are created using your teeth impressions, making them more comfortable and easier to use. Wear it at night or during the day, or put it on for a few hours while in front of the computer. At-home teeth whitening kits provide a permanent colour change, getting lighter the more you use them or until you get the shade you want.
Safer
All whitening gels that actually work and provide long term results will contain some sort of peroxide. Unfortunately, ‘natural’ peroxide free whitening products just don’t work long term and have no science to support their use. However, peroxide is only meant to touch the enamel surface as it will irritate the gums with prolonged exposure. Custom take-home teeth whitening trays are made to fit your teeth perfectly, ensuring the gel does not touch your gums and keeping them protected. They don’t contain any acidic components which can damage your teeth, and individuals with sensitive teeth can get a solution to whiten their teeth at their own pace and comfort level.
Effectiveness
Generic teeth whitening kits bought from the chemist have a very low dose of peroxide, the main ingredient in teeth whitening gels. It’s not legal to sell products with a higher amount of peroxide as it’s not safe without a customised tray to prevent the gel from touching the gums. Furthermore, some kits may not even contain this agent, making it completely ineffective. The only way to get visible and long-term results is to have a concentration that is strong enough to have an effect on the tooth enamel, whilst being kept away from the gums. That’s only possible with a professionally made whitening kit.
Revitalise Your Smile!
A white smile looks great, but a healthy, radiant smile that retains its shine looks even better. Professional take-home teeth whitening kits give you all the benefits of a whiter smile while protecting your teeth and gums and providing visible results that last longer. Your dentist monitors your treatment, giving you the correct usage instructions and guidance you need throughout treatment. Talk to our Blackburn dentists about take-home teeth whitening today. We’re here to listen to your concerns, answer questions and provide tailored treatments to keep your smile healthy and vibrant.
