If you are planning to whiten your teeth at home, you may be concerned about the results appearing uneven, with some of your teeth looking whiter than the others. An uneven effect may make you feel more self-conscious about your smile than having off-colour teeth ever did. Below is a guide to four things you should do if you want to achieve an even finish when whitening your teeth at home.
Use Custom-Fit Trays
While whitening trays which are bought over-the-counter are cheaper than custom-fit trays made by your dentist, they have one major drawback. An over-the-counter solution is made using a generic mould, which means it will not fit perfectly over your teeth. This imperfect fit means that some of the whitening gel may not come into complete contact with the surface of your teeth, resulting in an uneven finish. To avoid this, you should visit your dentist and ask them to make you a set of custom-fit whitening trays.
Avoid Over-the-Counter Bleaching Agents
As well as avoiding over-the-counter whitening trays, you should also avoid over-the-counter bleaching agents. This type of bleaching agent will generally have a relatively low level of peroxide. Peroxide is the active ingredient which bleaches your teeth. A whitening agent with a low level of peroxide will remove light staining on your teeth but will leave darker stains behind, creating an uneven look.
Have Your Teeth Professionally Cleaned
While you may brush your teeth twice a day and floss, it is impossible to remove every piece of tartar which has built up on the surface of your teeth. Tartar is formed when plaque solidifies on the surface of your teeth. If you attempt to whiten teeth which have areas covered in tartar, this could create an uneven look, as the tartar will remain stained. Visiting your dentist for a scale and polish before you attempt to whiten your teeth will mean you can be certain that any buildup of tartar on your teeth has been removed.
Don't Stop Before the Treatment Is Complete
Home whitening often involves multiple applications of whitening gel over a given period. Once you have commenced the treatment, you should complete the necessary number of treatments. Stopping before the treatment is complete could leave you with some areas of your teeth whitened and others stained. You should only stop if you are experiencing pain or discomfort.
If you would like further advice about whitening your teeth, you should visit your family dentist.
