An over-the-counter teeth whitening gel pen is one of the many wonders in cosmetic dentistry today. The product came into popularity over two decades ago when teeth whitening can only be done in dental clinics. With a lower concentration than those being used by dental professional in their dental offices, they have been deemed safe to use at home. Today there is a plethora of teeth whitening gel brands available.
The active bleaching ingredient of an effective teeth whitening gel or whitening pen is generally in the form of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Carabamide peroxide are the most common as they dissolve in the teeth to transform into hydrogen peroxide—a very potent bleaching compound. Teeth whitening gels vary in the amount of carbamide peroxide concentration ranging from 10% to 35%. Note that any amount of bleaching concentrate has the ability to whiten the teeth to its maximum shade of white.
The best teeth whitening gels are characterized by its thickness, which keeps the bleaching agents from escaping. The thickness is necessary so the gel will not become runny yet can easily spread on all surfaces of the tooth. Some gels also come with a desensitizing agent to protect users with sensitive teeth. Also, there are some products which contain artificial flavoring for a more enhanced treatment experience.
Teeth whitening gels are not as expensive as many people think. These gels are relatively lower in price than an in-office teeth whitening treatment but come with the advantage of using them at home. A whitening gel is one of the products included in a teeth whitening kit and are applied through syringes in the mouth tray. Some whitening gels come in brush applications that are easily painted over stained and discolored teeth. The advantage of this kind of treatment is that the application is controlled and can target the stains of the teeth easily.
Following instructions carefully can greatly contribute to the success of teeth whitening gels. Make sure to follow the prescribed exposure of the teeth whitening gel to the teeth. Also make sure to have clean teeth before applying the gel and always rinse after application to remove the bleaching residues.