Author of the article:
Soldatova Lyudmila Nikolaevna
Candidate of Medical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Clinical Dentistry of the St. Petersburg Medical and Social Institute, Chief Physician of the Alfa-Dent Dental Clinic, St. Petersburg
We all want to get results without spending much effort, and we also want to understand whether it is harmful or beneficial. Therefore, the opportunity to quickly and easily make a snow-white smile attracts many people. Accordingly, manufacturers are adapting to the needs of the audience by producing a variety of convenient devices for home use. One of the most popular is a special whitening pencil.
There is no doubt that it is very cool to use, but numerous consumer reviews indicate the ambiguity of the method. Let's figure out how to use a teeth whitening pencil and identify the pitfalls.
Features of using a pencil
The main advantages of the whitening pencil are its compactness and ease of use in almost any conditions, which is very important for active and mobile city residents.
Teeth whitening with this method does not require any special effort.
The procedure consists of the following simple steps:
- Rinse your teeth thoroughly after eating; it is recommended to do the procedure after eating, since then you will have to abstain from eating and drinking for an hour or longer.
- After rinsing, you need to thoroughly wipe your teeth with a napkin; for the gel to work properly, they must be dry.
- Apply the gel to the surface of each tooth, it will begin to foam - this is normal, which means the active substance has begun to act.
- Now you need to sit with your mouth open from a minute to ten, depending on what the manufacturer recommends.
- Rinse off the gel with water or do nothing (also indicated in the instructions for the pencil); some gels completely evaporate from the surface of the teeth during the procedure.
Each manufacturer must indicate in the instructions how to use a teeth whitening pencil. Recommendations may vary, but there are several general aspects:
- Frequency of use is important for the effect - the gel is applied to the enamel twice a day.
- The duration of the course is approximately two weeks.
- You will only get results if you follow a special white diet in parallel with using the gel. It is necessary to stop or reduce the consumption of coffee, red wine, pomegranate juice and other coloring products. It is also worth reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke for two weeks.
How do gels work?
Whitening gel acts on tooth enamel due to the presence of hydrogen peroxide, a compound whose active oxygen penetrates deeply into tooth tissue. By entering into a chemical oxidation reaction with the organic component of the enamel, peroxide causes it to lighten. Simply using hydrogen peroxide can cause great damage to enamel. But whitening gels contain additional components that protect against the aggressive effects of the active substance. That is why gel whitening in some cases can also be used for teeth with increased sensitivity.
Whitening with a gel is a fairly simple procedure. This can be done in several ways:
- Using a regular toothbrush, the gel is applied during hygienic brushing of teeth.
- Can be applied to teeth with a special brush included in the kit.
- The gel is placed in mouthguards - special cases for teeth, made individually for each patient. Such devices must be worn for several hours during the day or used at night.
How the pencil works
Now let's figure out how the pencil actually works and why it can lighten the enamel. It's all about the composition of the gel. The basis here is the active substance, this can be one of two options:
- Hydrogen peroxide. Usually has a low concentration (5-12%), but be careful, this is enough to damage the enamel if left on the teeth for too long. Peroxide reacts with oxygen, and it, in turn, oxidizes the pigments that are found in tooth enamel.
- Urea peroxide. This is a weaker version of peroxide. Usually its content in the gel does not exceed 15%. When applied to teeth, oxygen begins to actively release from the composition and also oxidizes the pigment. The effect of such a gel is less, but it is safer for dental health. The composition is suitable for use on sensitive enamel, but since each case is individual, you should first consult with a specialist.
Hollywood smile. The best teeth whitening products from AliExpress
BAIMISS radiant teeth cleaning mousse
Toothpaste in the form of an emulsion with the addition of soda citrate and sakura extract for healthy gums.
The manufacturer promises, first of all, whitening, as well as gum protection, natural plaque removal and, of course, fresh breath with the aroma of sakura. In principle, it is an excellent alternative for those who adhere to the standard recommendations of dentists - combining paste with powder, but are somehow too lazy to alternate it all. Here - two in one. What they say in the reviews: so, if you read the updated reviews, then the general conclusion can be made that the teeth still become whiter, by about one to half a tone. The smell is pleasant, refreshing and lasts quite a long time. The taste is ordinary mint, and sakura is here, apparently, for the wow effect.
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Oral Whitening Gel Kit
An interesting solution designed for professional dental whitening equipment. The kit includes a whitening gel in syringes, trays for different jaw shapes in the form of a silicone tray, and a whitening lamp, which according to the manufacturer is laser. Apply the gel to the mouth guard, press it to the teeth and turn on the lamp for 7-10 minutes. Afterwards, according to the instructions, we use a refreshing spray and go to illuminate the world with our teeth.
What they say in the reviews: it really works and the result is visible after 2-3 weeks. As a matter of fact, already in the first and most popular review there is sheer love and adoration, but in order to avoid suspicion of an ordered review, I scrolled below. Well, the high rating and many positive reviews indicate that the product really works.
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Activated carbon powder
If you believe one life hack, then if you rub your face with charcoal, your teeth will appear whiter, but here we are offered to rub charcoal on our teeth. The manufacturer gives the following arguments in favor of coal: it is safer, unlike peroxides, it is more effective and removes even old stains from coffee, wine and cigarettes, and finally, it additionally kills bacteria and saves from caries and periodontal disease.
What they say in the reviews: it is better to apply in the evening, since all this splendor is not washed off from the teeth and gums right away. Some people recommend brushing afterwards with regular toothpaste. As for effectiveness - some write that the teeth have become a little whiter, others that they simply maintain the color and prevent deterioration. From complaints - sometimes the box arrives incomplete.
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Gel pen for teeth whitening
A gel pen filled with “active oxygen”, which, once applied to the teeth, begins to actively remove stains. According to the Chinese brothers, the result will be noticeable within a week. The main difficulty is to keep your lips raised for 30 minutes after applying the product and not allow excessive salivation. In the comments they write that this is quite difficult and you can’t do it without a mouthguard.
What they write in the reviews: there are a lot of Russian-language reviews, and I personally learned a new word for myself in one of them: “guys, this really works, I recommend it to everyone.” There are also reviews that this does not work and tooth enamel becomes sensitive, but the overall rating of the product is high and the number of “working” reviews is much higher.
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Teeth Whitening Strips
Convenient and practical tapes that you can carry with you and simply stick on your teeth at any convenient time. The tapes should fit tightly, following the shape of the teeth, and the manufacturer says that you can talk and even drink water during the session. Mint flavor and dimensions 12*5.6*0.1 cm. There are two strips in the package, so for course use it makes sense to order several units of the product.
What they say in the reviews: there is definitely an effect, and for some people it whitens their teeth a shade after the first use. The most popular reviews in Russian speak of initial distrust of the immediate effect, but then everyone admires the result and even provides photos that truly indicate successful whitening.
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Sonic scaler for removing tartar
The electric sonic scaler, which can be used to remove tartar, is very similar to a professional dental instrument, and judging by the description, it gives the same effect. Made from "medical grade materials", waterproof, suitable for daily use and equipped with a high-frequency vibration sensor. The action is simple - bring the tip to the area with tartar and turn on the vibration.
What they say in the reviews: decent quality, copes with the task, works perfectly. There are many more such reviews than bad ones, and the overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 indicates excellent quality. Let's not forget that tartar is different from tartar and in some cases you still cannot avoid visiting the dentist.
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Whitening water for oral hygiene and dental care
At first I thought that the name was a problem with the Chinese translation, but really - the product is a 10 ml bottle of “whitening water”, two drops of which you need to put on a cotton swab and rub your teeth with it. You need to rub for 1-2 minutes, and then rinse your teeth with warm water for 3-5 minutes. This procedure is supposed to be carried out once a week, and in addition to teeth whitening, they promise general oral hygiene as a bonus.
What they write in the reviews: I will give the most updated review, where a person applied the product and then even went to the dentist to evaluate the results. In short: the product works, but it must be applied carefully, since the plaque also removes the top layer of enamel, and if used carelessly, you can cause a burn to the gums. According to the buyer’s dentist, there was no critical damage to the enamel.
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Toothbrush with cleansing serum
A very interesting device, which is a hybrid of a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste. Moreover, the brush is not made in the canonical “brush form”, but rather like a painting brush. Instructions for use are as follows: by rotating the end of the tube, squeeze the serum onto the brush and spread evenly on your teeth. Leave for 10-20 minutes and rinse with clean water. Repeat daily for at least a week to achieve results.
What they say in the reviews: the situation is strange. The rating of the product is good and there are a lot of positive reviews, they write that it helps and brightens a tone or half a tone, and the seller is good and gives some kind of cream as a gift. However, there is much more negativity in the questions and answers: the product does not work, and the seller often deceives and does not send anything. Considering the low cost, you can try to take a chance and carefully monitor the delivery process.
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Lanbena Whitening Essence
A bottle of whitening essence, which should also be applied to a cotton swab or swab, rub your imperfectly white teeth, and then rinse everything with warm water. Apparently, the thing is powerful, because the manufacturer indicates that it should not be used by children under 13 years of age and should not be swallowed under any circumstances. You need to wipe for 1 minute (and not 1-2 or 5, as in analogues), which confirms my suspicions about the high concentration.
What they write in the reviews: they confirm that the product is fierce: if it gets on the gums, it causes a burn, and the plaque is completely removed along with the top layer of enamel. Some hold it not for a minute, but for 30 seconds and say that in this way they reach the golden mean, plus you need to wipe your teeth dry and rinse thoroughly after the whitening session.
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FalseTeeth resin for whitening and repairing tooth enamel
A resin that will radically correct the appearance of your teeth - fill up dark areas, holes, crevices, and with due diligence, even mold a missing tooth. As he says, you need to dissolve about 15 resin granules in boiling water to obtain a gel. Then cool it down and use your hands to sculpt the teeth of your dreams, or, more precisely, correct the imperfections. Then you can remove the excess with a toothbrush and, as they say, “finish with a file”, polishing and making it smooth and uniform. It is not recommended to drink hot drinks after application.
What they write in the reviews: “the material is very white, and I make teeth out of them, like veneers.” I liked the product, respect to the seller - it helps out in certain situations. Gives a natural color and works perfectly. In general, people like it, the rating is high, so maybe these dentists can be our own creators of beautiful teeth?
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Consequences of using a whitening pencil
Before you start using a pencil, pay attention to what its use can lead to and evaluate the pros and cons.
Increased tooth sensitivity
Increased sensitivity occurs in any case; the manufacturer warns about this on the packaging. However, sensitivity may not go away on its own and gradually intensify with each use of the product, then only special pastes will help, and it is better to consult a doctor.
Non-guaranteed result
Not guaranteed result. To make your smile brighter, you will need to follow a transparent diet during the procedures and stop smoking. If you want to have a beautiful Hollywood smile, it is better to use one of the in-office whitening options. A pencil can be used as an additional tool.
Enamel destruction
Enamel destruction can develop due to improper use of the product or due to the individual characteristics of the enamel.
Therefore, before using a pencil, consult a dentist. If you do not want to risk your dental health, use ASEPTA PLUS Gentle Whitening toothpaste. It returns the natural color of the enamel to the teeth, gently cleanses and does not injure the teeth. Take care of yourself with professional products!
How to safely use teeth whitening gel at home?
- Applying the whitening gel requires a teeth whitening tray—you place the required dose on the tray and place it in your mouth. For best results, you may want to purchase a tray specifically designed for your mouth in consultation with your dentist. They will also advise you on the best way to use teeth whitening gel at home.
- Be sure to brush your teeth thoroughly before applying the gel.
- Be careful not to put too much product on the tray as it may leak while you wear it and burn your gums.
- Do not exceed the recommended duration of wearing the gel as this may cause burns, irritation or sensitivity.
- If any residue remains on your gums or teeth after application, remove it with a cloth or tissue. Be careful not to swallow the product and rinse your mouth thoroughly after treatment.
- Do not eat or drink anything that stains your skin for some time after the procedure.
Now that you know how to use teeth whitening gel at home, here are the 10 best teeth whitening gels to make your smile beautiful.
Clinical researches
Clinical studies have proven that regular use of professional toothpaste ASEPTA GENTLE WHITENING for a month allows you to lighten tooth enamel by 1.5 tones, increases anti-caries effectiveness by 3.4 times and increases enamel remineralization by 2.6 times.
Sources:
- Report on determining/confirming the preventive properties of toothpaste “ASEPTA PLUS” GENTLE WHITENING” Author: doctor-researcher A.A. Leontyev, head Department of Preventive Dentistry, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor S.B. Ulitovsky First St. Petersburg State Medical University named after. acad. I.P. Pavlova, Department of Preventive Dentistry
- Report on the determination/confirmation of the preventive properties of personal oral hygiene products “ASEPTA PLUS” Remineralization doctor-researcher A.A. Leontyev, head Department of Preventive Dentistry, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor S.B. Ulitovsky First St. Petersburg State Medical University named after. acad. I.P. Pavlova, Department of Preventive Dentistry
- Clinical studies of antisensitive toothpaste “Asepta Sensitive” (A.A. Leontyev, O.V. Kalinina, S.B. Ulitovsky) A.A. LEONTIEV, dentist O.V. KALININA, dentist S.B. ULITOVSKY, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Prof. Department of Therapeutic Dentistry, St. Petersburg State Medical University named after. acad. I.P. Pavlova
- Report on determining/confirming the preventive properties of commercially produced personal oral hygiene products: Asepta toothpaste used in combination with Asepta mouthwash and Asepta gum balm Head. Department of PFS Doctor of Medical Sciences Professor S.B. Ulitovsky St. Petersburg State Medical University named after Academician I.P. Pavlova. Faculty of Dentistry. Department of Preventive Dentistry.
