With so many whitening products available it’s easier than ever to add dazzle and shine to your smile. If you’re looking for a great boost of whiteness, you may want to consider a teeth whitening pen. But what’s in a teeth whitening pen and how does it work? We’ve put together this handy guide to help you choose the best teeth whitening pen for you.
What is a teeth whitening pen?
Quite simply, a teeth whitening pen is a pen-like device that you’ll use to “paint” a whitening serum onto your teeth. They’re designed to be really convenient and easy-to-use. The teeth whitening pen usually consists of a plastic tube with a brush applicator that you’ll use to apply the whitening serum to your teeth.
Our Max White Overnight Whitening Pen is just like this. It’s small, easy-to-use and reverses up to 15 years of stains caused by food and drinks in just 3 weeks with continued use. Our whitening pen contains a serum that dries really quickly and sticks to your teeth until you brush them. What’s more, it does its work while you sleep. Just use it before bedtime and brush in the morning as usual for whitening results.
Are teeth whitening pens safe?
While a teeth whitening pen is generally safe to use, it’s important to note that the whitening ingredient in it may cause sensitivity or gum irritation if you don’t apply it correctly. That being said, if you buy a teeth whitening pen in the shops or online, it shouldn’t have more than the legally allowed amount of 0.1% peroxide in it. This amount of peroxide usually doesn’t cause sensitivity.
When you choose a teeth whitening pen, you should also always check that it’s safe for your enamel.
How to use a teeth whitening pen
The best thing you can do is to carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions on the specific teeth whitening pen you’re using. They’ll have the full details on how to use a teeth whitening pen safely and effectively.
Our Colgate Max White Overnight Whitening Pen is super convenient and easy to use in just four steps:
1. Click the teeth whitening pen until a small drop of serum appears on the brush tip. The first time you do this could take up to 20 clicks to get the first drop.
2. Dry your teeth with a tissue then apply a single thin layer of the serum to each tooth and wait for 10-15 seconds for it to dry.
3. Head to bed for a good night’s sleep while the whitening serum gets to work.
4. Brush your teeth the next morning like normal to remove the coating and reveal your brighter, whiter smile.
How often can I use a whitening pen?
You should always refer to specific manufacturer guidelines when it comes to how often you can use a specific teeth whitening pen. This may differ depending on the ingredients in the whitening gel or serum.
Because our overnight whitening pen is enamel safe, you can use it every night for the first three weeks, then also to top up your whitening results whenever you need to.
Do you use a whitening pen before or after brushing?
Once again – always read the teeth whitening pen manufacturer's instructions for specific advice. With our Colgate Max White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen, we recommend you brush your teeth before using the pen. Because it’s an overnight teeth whitening pen, you’ll apply the whitening serum after brushing your teeth in the evening, then head off to bed. You’ll then brush your teeth in the morning as you usually would to remove the whitening serum.
What should you look for when choosing toothpaste for sensitive teeth?
In some cases, a few people may experience a bit of sensitivity from teeth whitening products. If this happens to you, it’s a good idea to look for toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth.
Keep a look out for specific claims about how well the sensitive toothpaste works and even if it can provide instant relief from sensitivity pain. Also, see if there are any dentist recommendations and it’s usually a good idea to buy a sensitive toothpaste from a reputable brand.
Caring for hypersensitive teeth
If you experience hypersensitive teeth, you should visit your dental professional, who will be able to give you the best advice and, sometimes, special sensitive toothpaste that you won’t be able to buy in shops.
Generally speaking, here are a few things you can do to care for hypersensitive teeth:
Use a toothpaste specially designed for sensitive teeth. If the sensitive toothpaste you buy in a shop doesn’t quite work as well as you’d like, visit your dental professional for advice.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, which will be gentle on your teeth and gums and less likely to cause any irritation.
Try to avoid sugary or acidic food, which may wear down your enamel and could increase sensitivity.
Brush gently twice a day and floss, which help to prevent gum recession, which is a major cause of sensitivity.
If you grind you teeth while you sleep, you should look for a nighttime mouthguard. You can buy these online or from your dental professional.
Visit your dentist regularly so they can identify the underlying causes of your hypersensitivity and offer the best advice.
