Gel Tooth Whitening – What You Really Need to Know

Gel tooth whitening is one method used to make the surface of your teeth whiter by removing surface debris. It works to restore the normal white color of the teeth which gradually becomes dull and discolored due to eating sugar or from coffee stains. Also, normal wear and tear from chewing breaks down the enamel which causes the core of the tooth to show through and dulls the color. Gel tooth whitening also known as bleaching, can help combat these problems.

There are three different types of gel whitening methods you can choose from. One is to have gel tooth whitening done at your dentist’s office so you can achieve the best results. Being a trained professional, your dentist can give you the best results in the shortest amount of time, and in a way that is safe. This in-office whitening method is one of the quickest and safest methods you can use to brighten the color of your teeth. Your dentist is able to whiten your teeth while at the same time controlling gum exposure and tooth sensitivity.

The gel whitening process will begin with your teeth being cleaned and then examined to make sure they are in good oral health. Next the dentist will protect your gums with a rubber dam before applying a high concentration of peroxide gel. The peroxide gel must remain on the teeth for 15-20 minutes at a time. At the end of each interval the gel will be washed off and fresh gel will be applied.

Each time the gel is washed off, your teeth will be examined to see how they are progressing and to determine which ones need another application of gel. If your teeth have not whitened to the degree that you want, your dentist may recommend that you return at a later time for another gel tooth whitening treatment as the maximum limit for the gel application is one hour per session.

Although gel tooth whitening in the dentist’s office is effective, there are some disadvantages. The main one being the cost. In-office whitening is expensive and can cost up to $650. Another drawback is that the results can be unpredictable based upon age, the type of tooth stains, and heredity. Although it works for many, you may not get the results you want after paying a hefty fee. Also, in-office tooth whitening isn’t permanent so your dentist will probably advise you to continue with some type of home maintenance.

You can save some money on gel tooth whitening when you buy the kit from your dentist and apply it at home yourself. You should be able to buy a kit for under $400, which is a substantial savings. These are more expensive than store bought kits because they have a higher percentage of peroxide in them and can only be obtained from a dentist. The results you get are just as good, or even better, than the results you get from in-office treatment. The results may be better because you can extend the treatments over a longer period of time.

Dentist-dispensed kits consist of custom fitted application trays that keep the bleach in contact with the teeth. The gel can be fine tuned by your dentist to ensure proper concentration and loaded to the trays before use. Your dentist will instruct you as to proper use of the gel tooth whitening take-home kits.

The least expensive method of gel tooth whitening is the over-the-counter store bought whitening kit. Store bought gel tooth whitening kits range from $20 to $100. Store bought whitening kits contain bleaching gel that has a concentration that is lower than what a dentist would use for an in-office visit or what is contained in a dentist-dispensed take-home kit. The whitening gel is applied on the teeth with a standard tray unlike the dentist-dispensed kit that is custom fitted. You can achieve whiter teeth with store bought kits but you must not expect the results to be the same as with professional treatment.

If you want to save money, but still get great results, then home whitening could be just the answer! This type of gel tooth whitening can produce fantastic results, if you know where to look for the right home kit!