At SportingSmiles, we often get questions about teeth whitening, teeth whitening trays, and the gel used to whiten teeth. Here we have a collection of teeth whitening FAQs to help answer some of our top questions.
Teeth Whitening FAQs:
Q: How long does the teeth whitening gel last?
A: Our whitening gel has a two-year shelf life. You want to store the whitening gel at or below room temperature and away from direct sunlight. Refrigeration can be used to extend the life of the gel. If the gel gets too hot, it will become liquid and will be unusable.
Q: How long do I need to wear my whitening trays?
A: We recommend wearing them for two weeks, once a day for 15-20 minutes, or until your desired whiteness is reached. You do not want to whiten more than once a day. After the desired shade is reached, touch-ups can be done as needed. Feel free to ask out team about the right touch-up frequency for you.
Q: How much gel should I put in the tray?
A: This answer is different per person depending on your mouth size. The typical amount needed is around .5ml per dental tray. If the gel is overflowing onto your gums, you have too much gel in the tray. Simply use a Q-tip, finger, or tissue to wipe away any extra gel.
Q: I have a crown, bridge, or other dental work. Will this whiten that also?
A: Whitening gel will only work on natural teeth. It will not whiten any dental work or artificial teeth.
Q: What strength is the gel?
A: The gel syringes provided in the kit are 35% Carbamide Peroxide Bleaching Gel.
Q: Is teeth whitening safe for my teeth?
A: The process of using dental whitening trays has been around for 20+ years. There have been no studies that show any damage due to teeth whitening.
Q: How are whitening trays different than using Zoom (laser) or whitening strips?
A: Laser whitening works great to whiten your teeth, but is expensive and will only last for a couple of months. After the whitening is done, there is no way to do touch-ups without returning for a full-cost laser whitening again. Whitening strips are around 7% peroxide and don’t come into full contact with your teeth. With our whitening trays, the gel is 35% peroxide and cover the teeth fully.
Q: How long will my whitening trays last?
A: Whitening trays can last forever if you clean them correctly and don’t chew on them while whitening.
Q: Are certain shades of tooth staining more receptive to whitening?
A: Yes. Yellow teeth are very receptive to whitening. Brown teeth are somewhat less receptive to whitening, while grey or purple teeth may not respond to whitening at all.
Hopefully, our teeth whitening FAQs have answered all of your questions. If not, please feel free to contact us today with any questions or concerns and we will be happy to answer you.
