How To Use Opalescence Teeth Whitening?Opalescence is widely employed by dental professionals as a means of tooth whitening. The method involves immediately applying a hydrogen peroxide gel to the teeth and gums. Those who want whiter teeth but cannot undergo a standard whitening treatment will find remarkable success with Opalescence.
The gel is administered with a syringe, making the process simple and giving you precise control over how much gel touches your teeth and gums. The bleaching agent immediately begins removing discolouration from your teeth after being applied. Once opalescence has taken effect, its effects will continue indefinitely, although you will likely require multiple applications to remove persistent stains.
Opalescence is the only whitening method I ever prescribe to my patients because it is both mild and highly successful at eradicating surface stains. In this post, I’ll go over the basics of using Opalescence to produce something you’ll be proud of. I’ll also show you how to avoid unpleasant teeth-whitening side effects, so you may achieve your goals without hassle. Read on to learn more on Opalescence Go How Long To Leave On /Opalescence Whitening Instructions Pdf.
How To Use Opalescence Teeth Whitening
If getting a bright white smile is high on your ‘to-do’ list then consider this article essential reading. Professional teeth whitening is by far the most effective way to achieve a dazzling white smile. But like with any form of whitening – and Opalescence is no different, teeth whitening instructions must be followed to the letter to ensure long-lasting results.
Many of us like to start our day with a cup of coffee, eat the odd curry, and when it comes to enjoying a drink with friends later in the day, order a glass of rioja. Unfortunately, over time our tooth enamel absorbs these colours and teeth start to look a little stained.
While initially, this may not be too much of a problem, if you’ve got an event looming such as a wedding or a holiday, then teeth whitening helps you prepare to look your best. Whether this is your first experience of Opalescence tooth whitening or you’re simply looking for ways to get the most out of your treatment, we’ve listed a few do’s and don’ts that cover the basics.
Let’s jump in and get started.
Opalescence Teeth Whitening Instructions – What to Do and Not to Do
Firstly the do’s
1.Oral Examination
Before undergoing Opalescence tooth whitening our dentist at MyDental West Ryde will examine your mouth, teeth, and gums. He’ll be checking for any signs of decay, gum disease, or loose fillings which need to be addressed. You should also be aware that only your natural teeth will respond to teeth whitening and any crowns, veneers, or bridges will remain the same.
This could lead to uneven whitening which is why it’s always best to consult your dentist if you’re considering bleaching your teeth with peroxide (contained in whitening products). They can determine if it’s a suitable option for you.
2. Clean and scale
Our dentist also recommends that for the best results your teeth are clean and free from plaque. So why is this?
Having a professional clean before a teeth whitening appointment makes it easier for our dentist to whiten all the surfaces of your teeth. Not only are trapped food particles released during a clean and scale but any hardened plaque can also be gently scraped away.
Starting with a clean slate, as it were, helps maximise the results of teeth whitening, giving you even results across all of your teeth.
3. Follow the instructions
For take-home whitening, it’s important to follow the Opalescence teeth whitening instructions that you will be issued with when you leave our clinic with your custom trays and syringes of whitening gel.
Efficient teeth whitening relies on contact with the teeth and can’t be rushed. If your teeth start to feel sensitive and are causing you pain, then it’s best to rinse your mouth with tepid water and take a break from whitening for a few days. If the pain persists then seek advice from our dentist.
5. Use a whitening toothpaste
After you’ve finished whitening your teeth at home, we recommend you use a whitening toothpaste – your teeth will feel and look even more amazing. If you’re experiencing any tooth sensitivity then try using a toothpaste for sensitive teeth for a few days. It’s not unusual to feel a little sensitivity following Opalescence tooth whitening but this should gradually ease within a few days.
Teeth whitening isn’t a permanent solution and to help your newly whitened teeth remain white and bright, there are a couple of things you should consider avoiding.
Don’t’s
1. Avoid eating or drinking coloured foods
Teeth whitening instructions for all products, including Opalescence, will advise you to avoid drinking or eating any foods for 48 hours that if you spilt them down your white shirt, for instance, would stain it. If you must have your coffee in the morning to function, then consider sipping it through a straw rather than directly from the cup.
If you do give in to temptation and order food or drink that could mark your teeth, drink a glass of water immediately afterwards. It’s not a bad idea to carry a bottle of water around with you and drink water after every meal to flush away any substances that could otherwise spoil your newly whitened smile.
2. Give up smoking
Tobacco is one of the bad guys when it comes to staining your teeth and smoking cigarettes is one of the quickest ways to diminish the whiteness of your teeth. If you can, consider giving up smoking altogether. Not only will your smile stay whiter for longer, but your breath will be fresher, and you’ll significantly lower your risk of cancer.
If you are a suitable candidate for teeth whitening then naturally it’s important to follow your Opalescence teeth whitening instructions to achieve the best results. Fortunately, with professional teeth whitening, our dentist is there to guide you through the process and monitor your treatment. You couldn’t be in a safer pair of hands.
If you’d prefer, at MyDental West Ryde we also provide in-chair Opalescence teeth whitening which will reward you with a bright white smile in less than an hour. It’s an ideal solution if you can’t wait for whiter teeth.
Opalescence Whitening Instructions Pdf
Opalescence Whitening Instructions
Opalescence Whitening Instructions are the best way to get white teeth. The instructions are very simple to follow and you can use this product in your home. These instructions will help you get a bright smile without any problem. This is a great product that has been around for many years.
Opalescence Whitening Instructions are very popular because they work fast and effectively. They are also affordable and easy to use at home. You will be able to see results in just one day when you use this system correctly. This is a very simple process that anyone can do, even if they have never had their teeth whitened before.
The first step in using Opalescence Whitening Instructions is choosing which shade of Opalescence kit you want to use. There are several different shades available so you should choose the one that will give you the best results for your particular situation. If you have stained teeth then you should choose a darker shade so that it can cover up more stains than a lighter shade would be able to do on its own merits alone without any additional help from other factors like food or drinks leaving behind more build up on your teeth over time as well as at.
Opalescence Whitening Instructions
Opalescence Whitening System
Step 1: Apply the Opalescence Activator to the teeth. The activator is a gel that contains hydrogen peroxide. It comes in a small syringe, and you apply it to your teeth using a small brush. Leave the activator on your teeth for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Rinse off any remaining activator with warm water before applying the Opalescence Developer Gel. The developer gel contains carbamide peroxide, which helps activate and speed up the whitening process. You apply this gel with an included brush, and leave it on your teeth for 30 minutes.
Step 3: Remove the developer gel by rinsing with water and remove all traces of it from your mouth.
Step 4: Apply Opalescence Polish, which is a protectant that seals in the whitening process to prevent stains from darkening again quickly after treatment has ended.
Opalescence is a tooth whitening treatment that uses an advanced light-activated hydrogen peroxide gel to make teeth up to 8 shade whiter in one hour.
It’s safe, effective and can be used at home.
Opalescence is the only bleaching system that uses a patented light activator. The special light in the Opalescence lamp activates the gel, making it work more effectively and faster.
Before You Begin:
Step 1: Check Your Teeth for Sensitivity
Do not use Opalescence if you have any sensitivity in your teeth or gums. If you have any broken or chipped teeth, Opalescence can cause discomfort or pain during treatment. If you experience any discomfort, stop using Opalescence immediately and contact your dentist. If your dentist determines that you are not a candidate for Opalescence, they will provide a prescription for another type of bleaching agent that is better suited to your needs.
There’s nothing like a video call to make you notice the minutiae of your face. One of the areas we’ve become most fixated on? Our teeth, according to research collected by the Oral Health Foundation and orthodontics company Alight Technology.
The survey of more than 2000 British adults in April 2021, found that online video calls changed the way 58 per cent of us see our smile with a third of respondents now more aware of the colour of our teeth.
Leading dentist Dr Rhona Eskander , also an ambassador for Waterpik , has revealed she’s seen a 40 per cent surge in enquiries for cosmetic dentistry treatments at her practice – the Chelsea Dental Clinic – since the start of the pandemic.
It seems product innovators are catching on, too, as the global teeth whitening market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of six per cent over the next five years, according to a report published by Aritzon industry analysts.
Joining the army of traditional stain-sloughing toothpastes and at-home teeth whitening strips is a new wave of teeth whitening pens. The paint-on formulas are a cross between the two – more ‘leave on’ than toothpaste but less messy than a strip. We’re not talking Tipp-Ex for your teeth but discolouration-busting formulas that can help counteract the effects of your three-a-day coffee addiction.
Kendall Jenner’s Moon Teeth Whitening Pen was one of the first to land with a bang last year, quickly followed by Spotlight Oral Care – a brand developed by two Irish dentist sisters and loved by the likes of Vogue Williams . Even oral care stalwart Colgate has given its Max Overnight whitening pen, launched last month, a beauty-led twist, promising to brighten teeth while you snooze.
How do they compare to other forms of teeth whitening? Top dentist Dr Uchenna Okoye puts them in context for us.
“In terms of potency, professional in-clinic treatment is the ‘Rolls Royce’ of teeth whitening followed by at-home whitening strips, pens, then toothpastes,” she says.
“Think of whitening pens as an on-the-spot solution that can be performed on the go, whether it’s on their own or to maintain the results of a professional whitening treatment. Unlike strips, toothpastes or whitening trays, these pens offer a targeted approach – for example, allowing you to brighten up your canines, that are often darker, in line with your front teeth,” Dr Uchenna , who has 27 years of experience in the field.
Here, we reveal how the latest formulas get to work, the ingredients to make a beeline for and our pick of the pens that really make a difference.
What to look for in a teeth whitening pen
Head to TikTok and you’ll find a staggering 60.4 million videos tagged #teethwhiteningpen – mostly comprised of incredible 60-second transformations on pen-wielding Americans. But Dr Uchenna, who is director of London Smiling dental clinics , sounds a note of caution. Camera filters aside, what you can buy in the US may be much stronger than what’s available in your local Boots.
“Rules on hydrogen peroxide – the gold standard bleaching agent – are significantly different in the UK versus the US, ” she explains. “In America there are few restrictions regarding the sale of dental products whereas here, the legal limit of hydrogen peroxide in over-the-counter products is 0.1 per cent. In comparison to professional dental whitening treatments – which use up to six per cent – that’s quite a nominal amount,” she comments.
It’s important to manage expectations. The golden rule of thumb for whitening pens in the UK is that like ‘whitening’ toothpastes, whitening pens are really only stain removers. They work on surface discolouration and can take your teeth one or two shades lighter compared with the five or six shades you can expect from a six per cent peroxide treatment from your dentist (who’ll need to check the health of your teeth and gums before you start).
Why don’t they market themselves as ‘stain removing pens’ in that case? Dr Uchenna Okoye wanted to use that very term in her own new pen but was told it wasn’t as sexy as ‘whitening’.
That’s not to say they don’t have a place. They are an accessible, easy-to-use and safe way to keep your teeth looking white. And according to Dr Uchenna pens are more effiective than ‘whitening’ toothpastes, as you don’t spit the formula out so it can spend time getting to work on your teeth. While it means pens can only really get to work on extrinsic staining of the enamel – caused by things like smoking, red wine and coffee – there’s none of the pain or sensitivity you can experience with professional whitening.
So, what ingredients should we actually be mainlining when selecting a teeth whitening pen?
“Most use agents – such as sodium bicarbonate – that brighten the teeth via oxidisation. This is a process that releases oxygen, which gets into the pores of your teeth and breaks away colour molecules so your teeth look whiter, ” says Dr Uchenna.
“The higher an ingredient appears on a product’s INCI list, the more concentrated it will be which, in this case, means it will release more oxygen and have a stronger whitening effect.
And what did Dr Uchenna put in her own pen?
“When formulating MySmile by Dr Uchenna Teeth Whitening Pen , I chose to use an ingredient called PAP (phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid), which works using the oxidisation process – because I knew I could safely include a higher concentration of it,” she explains.
As for her reason for omitting hydrogen peroxide entirely: “As a dentist, trust was the biggest thing for me when formulating my products. I wanted the formula to based truly on the science rather than for any marketing reasons,” she explains.
And what about pens that say they can be used with an LED light to boost the effects? “There’s no evidence to show these can make a difference,” Dr Uchenna comments.
Benefits of teeth whitening pens
Alongside the obvious convenience of these handbag-friendly formulas – and the fact you can selectively target certain teeth – they offer other added bonuses, too.
Some offer a minty breath-freshening effect while Dr Uchenna has incorporated mica into hers – a cosmetic ingredient that delivers an immediate pearlescent finish. Think lip gloss for your gnashers.
Pens also make it easy to avoid the gum line, making them more gentle if you’re prone to sensitivity or inflammation here.
How to use teeth whitening pens
Dr Uchenna advises using her pen every day for at least a week but there’s one step you really mustn’t miss in order to ensure you see results from whichever formula you choose.
“Make sure your teeth are dry when you apply your product so the saliva doesn’t wash everything away. Dab them with a tissue then after applying then sit there with a big grin for a minute or so – the longer, the better.
“If you have trays or aligners left from a professional whitening treatment or Invisalign, a good hack is to pop a few twists of your pen inside to ensure maximum contact and minimal saliva,” Dr Uchenna explains.
The best teeth whitening pens
The spec: hydrogen peroxide and polymers to help the peroxide stick – leave on overnight
Claiming to reverse up to 15 years of discolouration in three weeks, the special weapon here are the polymers which do also make the gel feel a little thicker than some, although that’s not an issue when you’re asleep.
We can’t promise it will dramatically banish over a decade worth of Prosecco, Rioja and Starbucks but it’s seriously easy to slot into any evening beauty routine with no rinsing out required.
My Smile by Dr Uchenna Teeth Whitening Pen , £23.99 – best dentist formula
The spec: PAP and also mica (a mineral powder often used in shimmering makeup) to add instant polish – leave on
As an industry authority on all things teeth and a member of the American and British Academies of Cosmetic Dentistry, you can trust Dr Uchenna’s formulas to really deliver, with the science to back them up.
The toothpaste in her range – My Smile by Dr Uchenna Whitening Toothpaste , £17.99 – has already gained a loyal following, including Get the Gloss editorial director Victoria Woodhall who found this tool to be just as impressive.
“Along with a whitening effect, Dr Uchenna told me she wanted her formula to deliver a modern and non-greasy take on the age-old beauty trick of applying Vaseline to teeth to make them look more lustrous. That was a great bonus for helping me feel more polished ahead of a meeting or special occasion.”
Spotlight Oral Care Teeth Whitening Pen , £14.99 – TikTok viral favourite
The spec: PAP and hydrogen peroxide – rinse off after five minutes
The brainchild of sisters and dentists Dr Lisa and Vanessa Creaven, this brand quickly gained a cult following here when it launched in 2016 before landing in the States last year.
This slick tool is the star of countless TikTok videos with people showing off their speedy ‘before’ and ‘afters,’ although the UK formula does differ from the US version. In line with the countries’ regulations, the pen you can buy here uses 0.1 per cent hydrogen peroxide versus the 6 per cent found in the same product sold in the States.
Designed to be left on for just five minutes at a time, it prides itself on the inclusion of hydrogen peroxide although PAP, again, is the real hard-worker.
Moon Kendall Jenner Teeth Whitening Pen , £20 – best for value
The spec: urea peroxide and essential oils which claim to further brighten and add freshness, leave on
Few A-listers have teeth as white as the Kardashian-Jenner clan’s gazillion-dollar smiles. No wonder then, Kendall Jenner’s own at-home whitening tool took social media by storm when it hit Boots last year.
Our tester did notice a visible shift in brightness levels after finishing her first pen (like most, it lasts around a month) and told us she would repurchase.
Any stain removal action likely comes almost entirely from the urea peroxide (that works in the same way as hydrogen peroxide) since there’s limited clinical evidence to show low levels of lavender oil, honeysuckle and strawberry extract can deliver any brightening effect.
It’s also worth noting you get 2.65ml of gel inside rather than the standard 2ml in all the other products we tested (or 2.5ml in Colgate’s) making it better value for money.
vVardis Aletsch Instant Healthy Teeth Whitening Gel , £118 – best eco choice and instant whitener
The spec: a patented formula using hydroxyapatite that also instantly blurs away white and yellow spots, leave on
From an award-winning tech-driven brand founded by two Swiss dentist sisters, and big on sustainability, this comes in the form of a little inkwell-like pot and wooden-handled brush with minimal plastic, rather than a pen.
The product itself is pretty unique, too. After years of research, founders Dr Haley and Golnar Abivardi concluded hydroxyapatite was the safest and most effective whitening agent. (Dr Uchenna is a fan of the ingredient, too, having used it in her range’s whitening toothpaste for its enamel-strengthening powers).
The problem with hydroxyapatite? It doesn’t easily adhere to the teeth. Yet the pair found a way of combatting this problem – via a one-of-a-kind gel that mimics the teeth’s own remineralisation process – resulting in this patented innovation.
Billed as ‘the first whitening product that’s actually good for your teeth,’ it doesn’t just remove stains, strengthen and protect with continued use, it also immediately covers up surface imperfections – a bit like a tinted moisturiser for your teeth.
Swiss Clinic Teeth Whitening Pen , £59 – sodium bicarbonate and peroxide in one
The spec: sodium bicarbonate and hydrogen peroxide – leave on
This pen boasts a double whammy of hydrogen peroxide and sodium bicarbonate and, unlike other formulas containing peroxide, it doesn’t require any rinsing. The magic here mostly comes from the sodium bicarbonate that uses that all-important oxidisation process to help lift away stains.
It uses exactly the same formula as the brand’s Whitening System – a kit of custom-moulding trays that you insert a gel into although the makers say this version is for people who want to maintain their results or to spot treat single teeth.
Mr Bright Home Teeth Whitening Pen , £23 – best for fruity flavour
The spec: sodium bicarbonate and essential oils for freshness – rinse off after 30 minutes
Even though there’s no hydrogen peroxide in this Australian-based brand, unusually the pen’s packaging states to rinse this formula off after wearing it for half an hour.
It’s a fairly thick gel so you can really feel it as you slick it on although when it was time to wash it off, it all seemed to have disappeared.
The power player? It’s another that boasts sodium bicarbonate high up on its INCI list, accompanied by a whole medley of different fruity oils like peppermint, cranberry and grapefruit to add a mild flavour.
Opalescence Go How Long To Leave On
Opalescence Go is a great treatment to whiten your teeth and make them more beautiful. The treatment takes about 15 minutes and you can see the results instantly. You can choose to leave Opalescence Go on for 5 to 30 minutes depending on how much off-white you want to take off.
The treatment comes with an accelerator that is used to increase the speed of the process. However, the results are not permanent and will wear off after a few days.
Opalescence Go is a teeth whitening system that you can use at home. The kit comes with trays, gel and mouth tray sealers. It is recommended that you keep the trays in your mouth for about 30 minutes. You will want to make sure that you wear them for this length of time each day until you see the results you want.
The trays need to be worn at least two hours before eating or drinking anything hot or cold. If you are wearing the trays for more than one hour, then it is best to rinse your mouth out with water before putting on the next tray.
Once your teeth have reached their desired color, then you can stop using the trays and continue with your normal activities.
Opalescence Go is a new teeth whitening treatment from Opalescence. It is a gel that you apply to your teeth and wear for 30-60 minutes. The results are similar to the results from a professional in-office teeth whitening procedure… but at home!
Opalescence Go is applied directly onto the teeth using a small applicator tip. The gel then hardens into a custom-fit plastic tray that fits over your teeth on the outside, and on the inside it molds to fit around your gums. The tray is clear so that you can see exactly where it’s placed on your teeth.
Once applied, you can leave Opalescence Go on for 30 minutes or 60 minutes depending on how long you want your whiter smile to last. For most people, 30 minutes is enough time to get great results but if you have stubborn stains or just want to ensure maximum whitening, 60 minutes might be better for you. Just make sure not to leave the product on any longer than recommended in order to avoid damaging your enamel!