Whitening your teeth is often advertised to people who want to enjoy the experience at home. While going to the dentist's office on a regular basis to have fresh tooth whitening treatments might not appeal to you, it could still be worth your time to get help from a dentist's office. Here's why you should consider having your dentist make a custom teeth whitening tray for you instead of buying one off of the store shelves.

How Trays Work

Whitening trays are essentially a lot like clear retainers and braces. They're designed to fit over your teeth while holding a whitening gel that targets the surface-level and deeper stains of your teeth. These trays can be used to maintain whitening treatments administered by your dentist's office, cutting down on the number of times you need touch-ups after your initial whitening treatment.

The Problems With Store-Bought Trays

Many companies now manufacture one size fits all whitening trays that get sold on store shelves. These products can potentially benefit your teeth, but they have some drawbacks that could be a problem for you or keep you from getting the full benefits of your whitening treatment.

For example, custom trays may not fit your teeth perfectly. If the fit isn't snug enough for the whitening gel to maintain constant contact with your teeth, then the gel can't do its job. Alternatively, if the tray is too snug for your teeth, sliding your teeth into it can force the gel up and outwards, where it can come into contact with your gums. Once it does so, gum irritation can occur, which can leave you feeling sore and sensitive after whitening your teeth.

What to Expect

Custom whitening trays use the same methods for being created as getting a pair of clear braces or a custom mouthguard. After your dentist whitens your teeth to the color and shade that you want, you'll start the process of getting a custom whitening tray.

This tray will be made by creating a mold of your upper and lower teeth. That mold will be sent to a manufacturer, who will create a tray that fits your teeth like a glove, ensuring that your whitening treatments are fully effective and safe.

Once this process is complete, you'll pick up your whitening tray from your dentist's office. This is when you'll also get directions on how to use the gel, and bring home the whitening supplies to go with the tray. If you have any questions, feel free to bring them up during this phase.

Whitening your teeth can be achieved at home with great effects if you get the help of your dentist. Make an appointment to get the glowing white smile that you want and the touch-up tools to keep it looking great for months to come at home.

Share