Dentist-approved at-home teeth whitening kits

Whitening products available from your dentist offer a comfortable and effective form of teeth whitening at home. All dentist teeth whitening kits rely on teeth whitening gel with an active ingredient – usually a form of peroxide bleach. Here’s an outline of what the process may involve:

Your dentist will begin by making you custom mouth trays. Custom trays are more comfortable to wear than an over-the-counter mouthpiece, as they’re made to fit precisely over your teeth without touching your gums. Custom trays make it easier to whiten both your upper and lower teeth; they also help minimise gum sensitivity and make sure that the whitening agent is evenly distributed over the surface of your teeth. 

Your dentist will also provide you with a supply of teeth whitening gel, which can be dispensed into the trays from a syringe or tube. The whitening gel usually contains either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide in a concentration of 6-10%. Depending upon the formulation, you’ll be instructed to wear the trays daily for a few hours or overnight. Your dentist will advise how often you should do this. 

Once you have your custom trays, you can keep them for life and buy teeth whitening gel from your dentist whenever your teeth need a top-up. You can expect to do this every year or so due to staining from coffee, tea, red wine, smoking or other pigmented foods like berries or curries.

If you experience temporary sensitivity or gum irritation during teeth whitening at home, consult your dentist. They may recommend a fluoride treatment or advise you to stop the bleaching process for a period of time.

Choosing to whiten your teeth at home using a professional teeth whitening kit can make a big difference to your smile. While over-the-counter products are affordable, you may have to use them for a long time and only see minimal results – many will only lighten your teeth by 1-2 shades. A teeth whitening kit from your dentist can give you professional results while allowing you the flexibility of whitening your teeth at home.

If you choose to whiten your teeth at home without your dentist’s supervision, there are a few common mistakes that people make. Avoid these and make sure your teeth whitening journey goes smoothly:

• Don’t use too much teeth whitening gel – if you use too much whitening solution, there’s a chance it will spill over the sides of the tray and irritate your gums. Use a dot of solution on each tooth on your tray to avoid this. 

• Over-whitening – using a professional teeth whitening kit more often than advised can damage your tooth enamel and leave you with sensitivity. 

• Ignoring pain – continuing to whiten your teeth even though you’re experiencing sensitivity can cause long-term damage. If you feel any discomfort, take a break from whitening for a few days and use a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth.

If you decide to try teeth whitening at home, you’ll want your results to last for as long as possible. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your whitening treatment:

• Check that the teeth whitening gel is spread evenly around the surface of your trays to make sure your finish is as even as possible. 

• Avoid foods and drinks that are known to cause teeth staining, like tea, coffee, cola, curries and tomato-based sauces. This is especially important in the 24-48 hours following your teeth whitening treatment, when your tooth enamel is most porous. 

• If you feel the discomfort of sensitive teeth during whitening, ask your dentist for a teeth whitening gel that uses a lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide and is less likely to irritate your gums and tooth enamel. 

• Look after your teeth and follow a great oral hygiene routine every day to extend the results of your teeth whitening treatment for as long as possible. 

The best at-home teeth whitening kit suits your budget and lets you achieve your desired results with no sensitivity. Here are some things to consider when choosing the right product for you:

•  Speak to your dentist about the type of teeth staining you have. Light surface discolouration may be improved with over-the-counter whitening products like whitening toothpaste or strips, whereas deeper intrinsic stains are likely to need a professional teeth whitening treatment. 

• If you already suffer from sensitive teeth, speak to your dentist before starting teeth whitening at home. They may be able to recommend gentle teeth whitening products and tell you how often you can safely whiten your teeth. 

• Look at the ingredients on over-the-counter products. You should see ingredients like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These active ingredients have been deemed safe to use on your tooth enamel in low concentrations. Always purchase teeth whitening products from your dentist or a trusted retailer. If in doubt, speak to your dentist before trying any products with ingredients you don’t recognise. 

• Understand that cheaper products may need to be used for longer/more often than a professional teeth whitening product. However, professional products and treatments are always a more expensive option. Weigh up the costs and benefits to find the right solution for you.

Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about teeth whitening gel and how to whiten teeth at home: