Years of drinking coffee and tea can cause unsightly, stained teeth. Many people are looking for easy and affordable ways to brighten up their smile by whitening their teeth. There are so many products on the market it can be hard to know what will actually work. Also, do you know which products are safe for your teeth?
Whitening pens are inexpensive and easy to use, but how do they work? Let’s break it down.
What Are Teeth Whitening Pens?
Teeth whitening pens are small, compact tubes with a soft brush on the top. When you twist the bottom of the pen, a small amount of liquid seeps into the brush. Then you apply this liquid to your teeth.
They can be bought at a drug store, online and your dentist might even sell them. Typically, they are used twice daily — during your morning and evening oral hygiene routine. People like them because they are convenient, inexpensive and take less than one minute to apply.
How Do They Work?
Simply brushing some liquid or gel onto your teeth and having a brighter smile sounds ideal, but what are those whitening pens doing to your teeth? Teeth whitening pens work the same as any other over the country whitening system like trays or strips you stick to your teeth.
All these products use a mild solution containing peroxide, which allows oxygen to penetrate and lighten teeth enamel. With a teeth whitening pen, all you need to do apply, let it dry for about 30 seconds and get on with your day. You don’t need to brush or rinse your teeth. The product will dissolve in your saliva.
Do They Work?
Many people have reported having a brighter smile after using teeth whitening pens. If used correctly, teeth whitening pens will give a subtle change to slightly stained, natural teeth. These pens typically do not work on crowns or veneers, are not suitable for people with braces and may not offer much help to people with severely stained teeth. They may be best suited for those with healthy, natural teeth who need a small touch up.
Are All Teeth Whitening Pens the Same?
There are many teeth whitening pens on the market. All claim they will give you sparkly white teeth, so which do you choose?
Typically, the only difference will be the concentration of peroxide in the whitening solution. Of course, stronger solutions may give you faster results, but they may also damage your enamel. Be careful when whitening your teeth at home. Research the product, and ask your dentist if in doubt.
Are There Any Alternatives to Teeth Whitening Pens?
There are many options for getting a whiter smile. You can opt for at-home kits or in-office treatments at a dental clinic. Dental offices can offer treatments with faster, more dramatic results, like laser whitening. Some treatments only require one visit to the dentist, whereas others might require a couple of trips.
Are you considering teeth whitening in the Houston area? Get more teeth whitening information athttps://www.lastingimpressionsdentalgroup.com.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
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FAQs
And they work on a very simple principle: Brush-like tips are soaked with a liquid solution with hydrogen peroxide as its base (some use carbamide, a bleaching compound similar to peroxide) that, when applied directly to the teeth, removes discoloration from staining caused by smoking, coffee, wine, and other ...
Do teeth whitening pens work on dentures? ›
Over-the-counter whitening strips and even professional teeth whitening procedures are not suitable for dentures and may cause damage.
How do at home teeth whitening kits work? ›
How Do Teeth Whitening Kits Work? At home teeth bleaching kits have whitening gels that contain carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. They also come with trays that facilitate the bleaching process by holding the whitening gels in constant contact with your teeth.
Are teeth whitening pens bad for your teeth? ›
Overall, teeth whitening pens are considered to be safe to use - as long as you follow the instructions on the packaging. However, some people may experience side effects such as tooth sensitivity or irritations of the gums. This discomfort is usually temporary and not harmful.
Do you wash off teeth whitening pens? ›
After a thorough brushing, remove the top cap of the pen and twist the bottom of the pen until you see the gel on the brush tip. Then, apply a thin layer of whitening gel to each tooth's surface, making sure the entire tooth's surface is in contact with the whitening gel. Finally, don't rinse.
Can you eat with teeth whitening pen on? ›
For best results, it is not recommended to eat or drink directly after the formula is applied.
Will hydrogen peroxide whiten dentures? ›
Hydrogen peroxide is another whitening agent readily available in supermarkets. It can be safely used to clean dentures and your natural teeth. Hydrogen peroxide is particularly effective at removing stains and discoloration. To clean dentures, take them out and apply hydrogen peroxide directly to its surfaces.
Do teeth whitening pens work on yellow teeth? ›
No, whitening pens don't make your teeth whiter for good. The effects of whitening pens are temporary, so you'll need to use them often to keep your teeth at the level of whiteness you want.
Is there a way to whiten dentures at home? ›
Baking soda or vinegar
Baking soda is a standard whitening product for both natural and false teeth. It is not hard to find it in the store, and many people have it at home.
Is there a teeth whitener that really works? ›
If you're looking for long-lasting results, Bianca Velayo, DMD of Green Valley Smiles Dentistry, recommends looking for peroxide-based products if you're hoping to whiten tooth enamel. You can opt for either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide as both will reverse internal and external stains on teeth, she notes.
Yellow teeth can regain whiteness through various methods, including good oral hygiene, professional dental cleanings, and teeth-whitening treatments. Stains from coffee, tea, or tobacco can be removed with adequate oral care, while professional procedures like bleaching or laser treatments offer quicker results.
Does hydrogen peroxide whiten teeth? ›
Hydrogen peroxide is an inexpensive household product you probably have on hand right now. When used carefully, it can be an effective way to whiten your teeth. But if used incorrectly — in concentrations that are too high or if used too often — it can cause serious and sometimes expensive tooth damage.
Why is teeth whitening not recommended? ›
There's also a chance of burns to gums and some of the whitening kits used at home can harm tooth enamel.
Should I brush my teeth before using whitening pen? ›
The pen produces the best results if you brush your teeth immediately before applying the whitening gel, but it can also be used without pre-brushing. To apply, follow these simple steps: Open your mouth into a wide smile and dry the front surface of your teeth.
How long do teeth whitening pens last? ›
For the Colgate® Optic White® Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen, we recommend a minimum of four to six hours of contact with teeth, without any food or drink. How long will the teeth whitening pen last? The Colgate® Optic White® Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen can last up to 35 days when used as directed.
Can you swallow after using a whitening pen? ›
Hold your mouth in place for 1 minute to set the product.
As you wait, try to avoid swallowing the serum. Leaving the solution on for 20-30 minutes and avoiding activities that can dislodge the whitener from your teeth can also help the success of treatment.
Do whitening pens work better than strips? ›
Effectiveness Comparison
When it comes to effectiveness, whitening strips are the clear winner here. They contain a higher concentration of active ingredients than whitening pens and typically last longer. Therefore, they provide more effective results in less time when compared to whitening pens.
