There are so many ways to brighten your smile these days, and with so many new products on the market it can be easy to get overwhelmed with the choices available! If you’re looking for a safe and easy way to whiten your teeth, a teeth whitening pen can be a great option. Read on to find out more about how teeth whitening pens work, how often you should use them and how to whiten teeth without damage to tooth enamel.
Are teeth whitening pens safe?
A teeth whitening pen is a safe choice for whitening your teeth as long as you follow the directions on the packaging. However, as with most teeth whitening products, there is a risk of experiencing some sensitivity or gum irritation during or after using a teeth whitening pen. If this is the case for you, stop the treatment immediately and wipe any excess product off your teeth. The pain should only be temporary, but it’s a good idea to avoid teeth whitening products for a few days after and use a toothpaste for sensitivity to help with any discomfort.
Do teeth whitening pens work?
Teeth whitening pens can help you achieve whiter teeth, but it will depend how discoloured your teeth are and what kind of stains they have. For example, a teeth whitening pen will be effective on light yellow surface stains, but will be much less effective on deep stains or tooth discolouration. A whitening pen also won’t have any effect on crowns, veneers or fillings.
Using our Colgate Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen is a great way to keep your smile bright! It uses a whitening serum that can reverse up to 15 years of stains caused by food and drink. Simply paint the serum onto your teeth and let it dry, leave on your teeth overnight and brush in the morning as normal. With just 3 weeks of continued use you should see the results!
Advantages of a teeth whitening pen
If you’ve chosen to whiten your teeth with a teeth whitening pen, you’ll be happy to know this choice comes with a lot of advantages; we’ve listed some of the main ones below:
Convenience
A teeth whitening pen is really easy to use and less fuss than using trays with a separate bleaching agent. A portable teeth whitening brush or pen is easy to take with you on overnight stays or if you’re travelling and is a simple solution for whitening top-ups on-the-go.
Control
The brush on a teeth whitening pen also gives you better control and a more precise application of the product. This also means the bleaching agent is less likely to transfer onto your gums and cause irritation.
Flexibility
Most teeth whitening products treat every tooth, however, one of the benefits of a teeth whitening pen is that you can target specific teeth and don’t have to treat your whole mouth – this can be useful if you have certain areas you want to brighten or a specific tooth that is discoloured.
Affordability
Along with whitening strips, a teeth whitening pen is one of the most affordable whitening methods. It’s extremely affordable and cost-effective when compared to professional teeth whitening methods like in-chair bleaching or laser whitening.
Can teeth whitening pens damage teeth?
Like any teeth whitening product, using a teeth whitening pen more often than recommended can end up weakening or damaging your tooth enamel. If this happens you may experience the pain and discomfort of tooth sensitivity. However, as long as you follow the directions on the packaging, they’re perfectly safe to use.
How often should you use a teeth whitening pen?
How often you use a teeth whitening pen will depend on the instructions on the product, as many brands will have various directions for use. For example, our Colgate Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen is designed to be applied at night and used continuously for a period of three weeks. Other products may advise application twice a day or every few days – always check the instructions before you begin using the product.
Are teeth whitening strips or pens better?
Whether you choose to use teeth whitening strips or a pen is really down to personal preference as both options are portable and affordable. A teeth whitening pen is better at getting into the crevices of your teeth, however, you have to let the product dry properly or else your saliva will wash away the bleaching agent. Whitening strips can be good as they create a barrier between your teeth and your saliva, but may give a more uneven finish if your teeth aren’t perfectly straight.
Quick guide to using a teeth whitening pen
If you’ve chosen to go ahead and whiten your teeth using a whitening pen, read on for some information on bleaching agents and how to apply the gel to your teeth.
Bleaching agents
Most whitening pens will use hydrogen peroxide as the active bleaching agent at a concentration of between 6%-9%. This is a safe level to use at home, however, if you get a professional teeth whitening treatment at the dentist, they’re likely to use a stronger solution for faster results.
Gel application tips
Using a teeth whitening pen is a quick and easy process with little fuss. Here’s how a whitening pen typically works:
Brush your teeth to ensure your teeth are clean before you start
Dry your teeth with a clean towel or tissue before applying the product
Twist the bottom of the pen until you see a blob of whitening gel on the brush
Paint a thin coating of whitening gel onto the surface of each tooth or onto the area you wish to whiten
Wait a few minutes to let the product dry
Don’t rinse your mouth, eat or drink – keep the product on your teeth for as long as the packaging states.
Avoid painting onto your gums or you’ll cause irritation
Brush your teeth after wearing the product for the recommended time – this will remove any excess product from your teeth.
There are so many options available for teeth whitening these days, it’s good to be aware of all the options before you decide how you want to proceed on your teeth whitening journey! Whether you use a teeth whitening pen or visit your dentist for a professional teeth whitening treatment, always make sure you’re following a great oral hygiene routine to keep your teeth clean and healthy first and foremost.
