Teeth whitening treatments typically involve using whitening trays to evenly apply the products used to whiten the patient's teeth. These custom trays also protect the patient's gums by preventing the whitening product from getting into the gums and irritating the tissue there.
Spacing out your teeth whitening treatments with whitening trays
Teeth whitening treatments involve using products that contain hydrogen peroxide as their active ingredient. The molecules of the bleaching agent penetrate teeth enamel and enter the inner layers of teeth. They react with stains and discoloration, oxidizing them away.
The chemical reactions that take place during teeth whitening can weaken enamel. It is why many people experience increased teeth sensitivity for the first few days after getting teeth whitening treatments. It is a minor issue that typically goes away after a few days. However, getting teeth whitening treatments too often can damage teeth enamel.
When it comes to how often a person should whiten their teeth, the answer varies depending on the type of teeth whitening process a person is using. Most teeth whiteners have a unique timetable regulating how often they should be used.
A second factor that determines how often a person should whiten their teeth is how stained or discolored their teeth are. People with badly stained teeth need more treatments to get their teeth to the desired shade of white.
Here are some general guidelines for how often a person should whiten their teeth:
- Dentists typically recommend getting one or two professional whitening treatments per year.
- At-home whitening kits can be used for up to 14 consecutive days. People who have gotten professional whitening can maintain their results by using these kits a few times a year.
- People with sensitive teeth cannot whiten their teeth as often as others.
People who fail to heed these instructions and whiten their teeth excessively might find themselves dealing with:
- Tooth sensitivity: This is the most common side effect of teeth whitening treatments. Overusing teeth whitening products increases the intensity and duration of the condition.
- Bleeding or inflamed gums: This can occur if the whitening agent gets into the patient's gums and it is not cleaned off immediately. It can also be the result of the patient's mouth reacting negatively to the whitening agent.
- Bluish teeth: Teeth that have been overexposed to whitening products tend to have a blue tint to them. It is a sign a person's enamel has been worn down, and weak enamel can lead to the tooth's nerve becoming damaged.
OTC products
The most common people to overuse whitening products are those that use over-the-counter products. Many of these contain abrasive ingredients that can damage teeth enamel, and the patient does not get evaluated by a dentist to determine how often they should be whitening their teeth. Getting teeth whitened by a dentist means the patient's treatment is supervised and monitored to prevent overusing whitening products.
Teeth whitening is safe for teeth when done right
Call or visit or Miami to get started with teeth whitening treatments and we will make sure your treatments are properly spaced out.
Request an appointment here: https://www.southfloridadentalarts.com or call South Florida Dental Arts at (305) 230-4041 for an appointment in our Miami office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Teeth Whitening in Miami, FL.
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FAQs
Dentists typically recommend getting one or two professional whitening treatments per year. At-home whitening kits can be used for up to 14 consecutive days. People who have gotten professional whitening can maintain their results by using these kits a few times a year.
How often should I whiten my teeth with trays? ›
While the best results are typically achieved by wearing the trays for consecutive days, this is not neces- sary to achieve the smile you desire. Wearing them every other day or even once a week can give great results! Once you have achieved the white smile you desire, stop wearing the trays.
How often do you use go whitening trays? ›
Wear times for Opalescence Go whitening trays differ depending on whether you use 10% or 15% hydrogen peroxide gel and how dramatic you want your results to be. Trays are generally worn from 15 minutes to one hour per day for anywhere from five to 10 days.
How often should you get your teeth professionally whitened? ›
Professional teeth whitening performed in the dentist's office is recommended once every year to every 18 months, depending on how long the results last. At-home kits can be used as often as once every four to six months.
Are dentist whitening trays worth it? ›
The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry endorses the use of custom-fit teeth whitening trays crafted by dentists as they really are that much safer than other options. There is no risk of tooth-whitening gel moving on out of trays that do not properly fit your mouth.
How long do teeth whitening trays last? ›
Take-home teeth whitening trays
Typically, teeth whitening trays are used multiple times over the span of a couple of weeks. As far as how long the results from take-home trays last, the answer varies for everyone. In general, the results will last for six to eight months.
Can I use whitening trays two days in a row? ›
After the trays are used and removed, they need to be cleaned with a Q-tip or a cloth and rinsed. It's typically not recommended to use whitening trays for multiple days in a row, but they can be re-used over time to whiten your smile. 2-3 times a week is a good rule of thumb.
Do I rinse my mouth after whitening trays? ›
After whitening, remove the tray, rinse twice until teeth are free of gel and avoid swallowing. Brush away any remaining gel if necessary. 7. Clean trays with a toothbrush and cold water.
Can I drink water with whitening trays in? ›
Excess material should be removed from the gums with a tissue, cotton wool or a dry toothbrush after insertion of the trays. The filled trays are usually worn overnight. You should not eat, drink or smoke whilst wearing the trays.
Are you supposed to sleep with whitening trays? ›
Every dentist is slightly different and therefore you should follow the instructions provided with regards to wearing your trays. However, in most cases the whitening trays are worn overnight for at least 7/8 hours. During this time, you should not eat, drink or smoke.
Option #1: In-Office Laser Whitening
Using lasers and peroxide-based whitening agents in a professional setting, this teeth whitening method provides dramatic, lasting results. While the whitening results are great, you should also consider the cost.
Can you overuse teeth whitening? ›
While teeth whitening can be a great way to brighten your smile and increase your confidence, it is possible to overdo it. Risks associated with too much whitening include tooth and gum sensitivity, discoloration, and even enamel degradation.
What is the success rate of teeth whitening? ›
Generally, whitening is successful in at least 90 percent of patients, though it may not be an option for everyone. Consider tooth whitening if your teeth are darkened from age, coffee, tea or smoking.
How often should I use whitening trays from my dentist? ›
Wearing the trays once every 2 months will keep your teeth at a very stable colour indefinitely, however if you want to keep them at an even brighter white, you may want to wear the trays once a month. Whitening gel, for maintenance, is available from the practice.
What to use instead of whitening trays? ›
While there are many whitening options, some popular alternatives to whitening trays include: Whitening Strips: Instead of teeth whitening trays, you may want to consider using whitening strips, which are one of the easiest types of teeth bleaching kits to use.
Which teeth whitening trays are best? ›
The Best Teeth Whitening Kits, According to Dentists
- OpalescenceGo Prefilled Teeth Whitening Trays, Set of 10. ...
- Burst Prefilled Whitening Trays, Set of 3. ...
- PhilipsZoom NiteWhite Kit, Set of 3. ...
- Dr. ...
- Colgate Optic White ComfortFit Teeth Whitening Kit. ...
- Auraglow Teeth Whitening Kit. ...
- Crest3D Whitestrips, Pack of 22.
Typically, it takes 48-72 hours for teeth to heal properly after whitening. During this time, maintaining proper dental care and adopting healthy oral habits is essential.
How often should I whiten my teeth with LED light? ›
It's generally safe to use an LED teeth whitener once every 24-48 hours, depending on the strength of the device and the sensitivity of your teeth. The MOON Teeth Whitening Device is designed to be gentle and is safe to use twice a day for 14 days at a time.
How often should I whiten my teeth with crest strips? ›
USE ONCE A DAY FOR 1 HOUR. Treatment length when used per directions is 19 days. For full results use entire kit. Use up to two kits per year.
