Teeth Whitening Kits
With people snapping more and more pictures online, your smile is quickly becoming a focal point for how you are seen. For this reason, many people tend to visit their local dentist to receive guidance on how to enhance their smiles. Teeth whitening kits are mid-tier on the teeth whitening scale. They offer more power than over the counter kits but are also more expensive.
The Process
Obtaining a teeth whitening kit begins with having custom-made teeth whitening trays created for you. Those trays are given to you by your dentist to allow for you to use them at your own convenience. Typically, they are meant to be used after you have already brushed, flossed, and rinsed your teeth. The user will apply some bleaching gel to the custom trays and place them firmly on their teeth. A tray is provided for both the upper and lower teeth.
The trays are often worn overnight and should remain in place for a minimum of 6 hours. They can be used for anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks, but it primarily depends on how white you would like your teeth. If the patient were to experience an increase in tooth sensitivity during this time, they should halt treatment and contact their dentist as soon as possible.
Side Effects
There are some side effects and disclaimers users should know about when using teeth whitening kits. For example, if the patient has porcelain crowns or fillings the teeth whitening kit may not work. They are primarily made for natural teeth. In this scenario, a patient with stained teeth will need to have their crown or filling replaced completely.
Some patients may have some tooth sensitivity to cold or when biting down. This is fairly common and will subside after a few days post-treatment. If you are concerned about this discomfort, it is recommended you contact your dentist to see if you should stop treatment or pay your dentist a visit.