What is the difference between an over-the
counter whitening products and dentists' supervised
whitening products?
There are differences between the two, include:
1. Strength of bleaching agent. Over-the-counter home use products and dentist-supervised
home products usually contain a lower strength-bleaching
2. Mouthpiece trays. With dentist-supervised
home bleaching products, your dentist takes
an impression of your teeth for a custom-made
mouthpiece tray to exactly fit your teeth. This
customization allows for maximum contact between
the whitening gel and the teeth. Over-the-counter
whitening products contain a free size mouthpiece
tray that may be ill-fitting. This can irritate
the gum and soft tissue. With in-office procedures,
the bleaching agent is applied directly to the
teeth.
3. Additional protective measures. In
the office setting, your dentist will apply either
a gel to the gum tissue prior to treatment to
protect your gums and oral cavity from the effects
of the bleaching. Over-the-counter products don't
provide these extra protective measures.
4. Supervised vs. unsupervised process. For a dentist supervised home bleaching,
an oral examination is performed and your medical
history is considered. This helps determine how
your teeth became discolored and if bleaching
is an appropriate course of treatment.
Postcare Instructions for Home Bleaching
1. Avoid consuming color-staining foods and drinks
such as coffee, tea, red wine, coke, etc. as well
as smoking for at least one week
2. Proper oral hygiene care should be carried out
to maintain and avoid diminished whitening results
3. If experiencing some sensitivity in teeth for
take-home bleaching
• Wear the tray for a shorter period of time
(for example, two 30-minute sessions vs. two 60-minute
sessions)
• Stop whitening your teeth for two to three
days to allow your teeth to adjust to the whitening
process
Care for Tooth Whitened Teeth
1. Brush at least twice a day. It is good practice
to brush after eating and before bedtime.
2. Floss at least once or twice a day.
3. Rinse with fluoride rinse before bed. Swish the
fluoride rinse vigorously in your mouth for at least
one minute. Do not swallow any of the rinse and
do not eat or drink anything for 30 minutes
4. Be careful about chewing toffees, gum, grainy
rolls and tough food in this area
5. See your dentist for regular professional check-ups
and cleanings
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