You may be using various products to keep your pearly whites bright. Despite daily oral care, some stains may be stubborn enough to stay. There may be occasions when you want a brighter smile without a dental visit. A teeth whitening serum can be a go-to solution for brightening your smile from home. It is designed to work on top of your dental care staples. Keep reading to learn how a whitening serum works, the benefits, and tips for safe usage. Get the best recommendations with Colgate.
What is a Teeth Whitening Serum?
A teeth whitening serum removes teeth stains and discoloration to brighten your teeth. You can paste it directly to the teeth using a brush, pen, or applicator. Whitening serums come in liquid or gel form and are available over the counter. They contain whitening agents that work on the stains and whiten teeth. While most serums offer noticeable results with continuous use, some work for an instant shine.
A whitening serum is meant for at-home use. It is a convenient option to consider when you cannot visit a dental clinic to whiten teeth. However, it does not replace your daily oral care regimen and can only complement it. The effectiveness of serums may vary based on factors like the type of stains and usage. Some products feature advanced formula that give an instant shine to the teeth. Other serums whiten teeth with continued daily use over a few weeks.
How Does Teeth Whitening Serum Work?
Stains can occur on the tooth surface (enamel) or the dentin beneath it. A whitening serum for teeth works through the action of its active ingredient. These are mostly compounds like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Professional whitening uses them as bleaching agents. Here is how a whitening serum works to reveal the whiter smile you seek:
Reach the stains: When you apply the whitening serum, its active ingredient seeps into the enamel and reaches the dentin below. This allows it to act on both surface stains and the stains within.
Break down stains: The whitening action of most serums is due to an oxidation reaction. Stains are mostly large pigmented molecules. Agents like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide release oxygen. It breaks down stains, making them smaller and less colored. This lightens the tooth color, revealing whiter teeth.
Benefits of Using Teeth Whitening Serum
If you want a whiter smile, there are various options apart from treatments with a dental professional. This includes a wide range of proprietary teeth whitening products. Teeth whitening toothpaste, whitening pens, strips, and kits are popular. Given these choices, it is worth knowing how a teeth whitening serum differs from them. Here is how it benefits your teeth whitening regimen on top of other products:
Targeted whitening: Serum is applied directly to the teeth using a brush or pen. It can focus on specific areas for treatment. Meanwhile, teeth whitening strips or toothpaste cover a broader surface of the teeth.
Effectiveness: A whitening serum has a higher strength of active ingredients. Hence, it delivers quicker results. Other OTC products contain whitening agents with lower strengths. The results may be gradual with daily use.
Duration: A serum is typically left on the teeth for a short duration before rinsing. Some of them are designed to offer quick results. However, products like toothpaste may take longer to give notable results.
Convenience: Serums are portable and easy to use. They are convenient for on-the-go whitening. Products like whitening trays may require more effort and can be less portable.
Types of Teeth Whitening Serums
A variety of teeth whitening serums are available to help you achieve a whiter smile. They suit different needs and preferences. The main types are:
Peroxide-based serum: Ideal for surface stains from coffee, tea, or smoking. These serums use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as the active ingredient. They break down stains on and below the teeth’ surface by releasing oxygen. Some serums are also designed to remove several years of stains.
Peroxide-free serum: These serums are gentle and focus on polishing the tooth surface. They often use ingredients like activated charcoal or coconut oil. This type of whitening suits people who prefer natural solutions; the results may be gradual with consistent use.
Serums with LED activation: These come in teeth-whitening kits, which include a teeth-whitening pen and an LED device. The serum in the pen is applied to the teeth. Then, the LED light is held against the teeth to speed up the serum’s action.
Color-correcting serum: It is based on color science. The serum contains purple or blue pigments that neutralize yellow teeth stains. This results in the appearance of a whiter smile and does not actually whiten teeth. This type of serum is ideal for instant results when preparing for special occasions.
What is Purple Teeth Whitening Serum?
The Colgate Optic White Purple Teeth Whitening Serum is an oral beauty hack that works on top of your basic dental care routine. It has the same purple technology as toothpaste but borrows from the world of beauty serums for skincare, featuring high potency and intense power. It gives you an instant whitening boost when you need it. Based on color theory, it uses purple brighteners to neutralize yellow tones instantly. The purple serum has the deepest, darkest formula with a slick and smooth texture that does not foam. Besides, it comes in an easy-to-use pump bottle.
How it Works
Colgate’s Purple Whitening Serum is based on color theory in which purple visibly cancels yellow. The purple brighteners of the serum instantly neutralize yellow stains on teeth. This creates a whiter appearance of your smile. The serum’s formula is 50X more concentrated, resulting in a whitening boost from the first use. It also contains functional silica levels for surface stain removal. Its micro-polishing minerals offer a whitening that builds*. As it does not contain fluoride, you can pair this enamel-safe formula as a daily whitening serum with your other oral care staples.
Who Can Use it?
Before learning how to use teeth whitening serum, it is worth knowing whom it benefits the most. The Colgate Purple Whitening Serum is a beauty hit rather than a maintenance fix like toothpaste. It is designed for those who want to be presentable and picture-ready. If your life is full of unpredictable moments and you want to make a good impression, then this serum is for you. It is a go-to solution when you want to express yourself through social media or look good for exciting events. You can shine as you navigate your first experiences, whether at work or on a date.
How to Use Teeth Whitening Serum Safely?
A teeth whitening serum can brighten your smile. However, it is important to know how to use teeth whitening serum safely to enjoy its benefits and stay away from potential side effects. Here are some tips to consider:
Choose the right product. Check out enamel-safe serums that contain ingredients designed to work safely on your teeth.
Ideally, consult a dental professional for expert guidance if you have dental issues.
Prepare your teeth. Brush, floss, and rinse with a mouthwash for good oral hygiene. Dry your teeth before applying the serum.
Pump the bottle and apply a thin layer of the serum on the teeth. Avoid contact with gums and lips.
Stick to the usage instructions and frequency. Rinse thoroughly after the recommended application time.
Thus, you can achieve whiter teeth at home using teeth whitening serums. By knowing how they work and their types, you can choose one that best suits you. You may note that a whitening serum is only an add-on and not a substitute for your daily oral care regimen. Using it safely, paired with your regular dental care routine, lets you enjoy a brighter smile.
*with continued use, twice a day brushing
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to see results with teeth whitening serum?
It depends on various factors, such as the intensity of stains, the serum’s formula, and usage. Some peroxide-based or LED activation serums show quicker results within a few uses. Serums with natural ingredients may show gradual visible results with continued use. Color corrector serums give an instant whiter appearance to teeth, with a temporary effect.Can I use teeth whitening serum if I have sensitive teeth?
It is ideal to consult a dental professional to find a suitable product that works for sensitive teeth. Incorrect choices may cause irritation to the gums and soft tissues. You may also choose a teeth whitening serum with an enamel-safe formula designed to work gently on your teeth.How often should I use teeth whitening serum?
The use of teeth whitening serums may vary based on the formula. Enamel-safe formulas may be ideal for daily use. It is best to follow the directions given on the product label. Incorrect or excessive use can be potentially harmful to the teeth and soft tissues. Ideally, seek proper guidelines from a dental professional.Is purple teeth whitening serum permanent?
No, the Colgate Purple teeth whitening serum gives a whiter appearance to your smile with a temporary effect. It works based on color theory by instantly neutralizing yellow tones using purple brighteners. The serum contains functional silica levels for surface stain removal and micro-polishing minerals for a whitening that builds*.
*with continued use, twice a day brushing
