Teeth whitening trays are powerful products that can help you restore the glow of your teeth from the comfort of your home. With the right type of tray and whitening gel, you can make your teeth several shades whiter right from your home.

But how does it all work? Read on to find out.

Understanding whitening trays

If you're not familiar with teeth whitening trays, their working mechanism is quite simple. Each tray consists of a flexible material that you can easily place on your top and bottom teeth. The trays are custom fitted with a whitening gel. Whenever you wear the trays, your teeth come in contact with the gel, and stains are slowly removed over time. The strength of the gel you need will depend on how deeply stained your teeth are. There are also gels suited for sensitive teeth.

You can think of whitening trays the same way you'd think of teeth aligners. You wear them on your teeth for a specific period of time, but the whitening gel on these trays will need to be regularly refilled. You can purchase a custom-fitting whitening tray with the appropriate gel to match your intended goals.

How to use them

Whitening trays come in a special package with specific instructions for use. While each product is different, most trays are used in the following manner:

Preparing your teeth for treatment

Starting off with clean and healthy teeth gives you the best chance of obtaining a bright smile. Make sure you brush and floss your teeth before wearing the trays. You should also ensure that the whitening trays fit tightly and firmly before you begin using them.

Applying the gel

The next step is to apply the whitening gel to the tray. Make sure the tray is completely dry (moisture-free) before you begin. When applying the gel, you should place a small drop on the inner front surface of each tooth (on the tray). This works better than spreading the gel around the tray.

Inserting the trays in your teeth

Firmly place the tray onto your teeth, and wipe away any excess gel that spills over the top. The tray should remain tightly attached to your teeth for the best results.

The whitening process

Each whitening gel will have its own recommended wearing times for the tray. Peroxide is the active ingredient that will slowly remove stains from your teeth and gradually make them whiter. Depending on strength of the gel, you may wear your tray for anywhere between 2-4 hours (specific durations will depend on the product you purchase). Most treatment plans last for 2-3 months.

Teeth whitening trays are effective, yet easy-to-use whitening products. For those who don't wish to receive in-office whitening, this is an effective alternative. If you would prefer to have professional assistance with whitening your teeth, contact a family dentist in your area.