Information about Teeth Whitening Gel
Teeth whitening gels contain a peroxide compound as the active ingredient and are available in a variety of forms and strengths. The peroxide acts like a bleaching agent, releasing tiny bubbles of oxygen that oxidize away the discoloring and staining. The compound involved here is usually Carbamide Peroxide, an oxidizing agent that is able to remove the discoloring and staining from your teeth. When used for prolonged periods of time the oxidizing agent will also clean the dentine layer, which is underneath the enamel.
Teeth whitening gels are usually applied in one of three ways. Probably the most common method used with ‘at-home’ kits is the tray or trough method. Here a small amount of the teeth whitening gel is poured into a trough that is similar in shape to a sportspersons mouth-shield. The trough is then clamped between the teeth immersing them in the whitening gel. Another method is to buy sets of strips that have the teeth whitening gel impregnated into them. You press the strips on to your teeth and let the gel get to work. The final method is to apply the gel onto your teeth with a small brush. This application is done one tooth at a time, rather than as a brushing action across a row of teeth. Generally speaking the tray or trough method is most popular, because it is the most successful at allowing the gel to work in between and behind the teeth.
If you undertake a course of teeth whitening with a gel based product using a trough system at your dentist; he or she will take a mould of your teeth and have a trough made to exactly fit around them. This will help to maximize the effect of the gel. Some ‘at-home’ teeth whitening kits offer a similar service. They enable you to send a mould of your teeth away to them and they can then send back to you a ‘trough’ that is custom made to fit around your teeth.
Teeth whiten gels can also be purchased in a variety of strengths. The use of the strongest teeth whitening gel might not be suitable to you, according to how sensitive your teeth and gums are. You should read the manufacturers instructions to help determine the best strength of gel for you. Whilst strong gels can be used up to three times a day and give quite rapid results, weaker gels are usually only used twice a day at most and will take longer to work. According to the strength of gel required you will be able to calculate how long it will take to get your teeth looking really clean and white.