Teeth Whitening Trays

Everyone dreams of having that enviable set of pearly whites. However, despite our repeated efforts of taking utmost dental care, we still land up with caries and other such common dental problems. Ever wondered how it is that some people just manage to have those shiny bright white teeth? Well, the answer just as well may be teeth whitening trays! Yes, there are so many teeth whitening methods available all around, that you'll be spoiled for choice.

What Are Teeth Whitening Trays?

When you visit the dentist, the most common method that he will employ to bleach your teeth is with the help of professional teeth whitening trays. The dentist will use clear plastic trays, known as custom trays because they are fabricated so as to fit in the patient's mouth with minimum discomfort. These whitening trays are then sent home with the patient, along with something known as a whitening gel. This whitening gel typically contains 10% carbamide peroxide whitener, which breaks down in the mouth to form hydrogen peroxide, which bleaches the enamel of the tooth.

When performing these treatments, the patient places the whitening agent into the bleaching trays and then places them in the mouth over the teeth. The teeth need to be cleaned once and wiped with cotton so as to minimize the possibility of contamination by saliva. The trays are then worn for multiple hours on a daily basis, or are left in place overnight for a period ranging from a few days to a week or two, depending on the instructions of the dentist and the manufacturer. This is the time frame during which whitening slowly takes place. The whitening takes place over a period of days because the concentration of carbamide peroxide used is very low so as to prevent the chances of toxicity.

Requirements

• The trays, also known as guard trays, must be clean and sterilized.
• The application trays must be as well fitting as possible. This is important for several reasons. Firstly, the tray should be so shaped that it can hold the bleaching material for a sufficient period of time. Secondly, the whitening gel should reach all parts of each tooth, so as to bring about uniform results, thus, prevent patchy whitening results. Lastly, if the trays are ill-fitting, then the bleaching agent could come in contact with the gums and other soft tissue of the oral cavities, leading to irritation and burning sensation in the mouth.
• After use, be sure to remove the tray and wash it properly so that any remaining strongly basic material does not cause damage to the tray. Also, any remnant peroxide material could also damage the teeth if they come in contact for too long, or if the concentration gets disturbed.
• Place the trays in a cool place, so that the material of the tray does not distort, leading to damage to the trays and changes in its shape, which could severely adversely affect the results.

The best teeth whitening trays are those that give the best and most uniform results. However, before you go in for teeth bleaching at home, it is best that you consult a dentist first so that he may guide you about the best available options for you to bleach your teeth with. Furthermore, be sure to follow the guidelines of the manufacturer and/or dentist religiously and do not overuse the trays or the whitening gel provided, as this may only lead to irreparable damage to the enamel of the teeth.