Whitening pencil: how to use, consequences and principle of influence

Author of the article:

Soldatova Lyudmila Nikolaevna

Candidate of Medical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Clinical Dentistry of the St. Petersburg Medical and Social Institute, Chief Physician of the Alfa-Dent Dental Clinic, St. Petersburg

We all want to get results without spending much effort, and we also want to understand whether it is harmful or beneficial. Therefore, the opportunity to quickly and easily make a snow-white smile attracts many people. Accordingly, manufacturers are adapting to the needs of the audience by producing a variety of convenient devices for home use. One of the most popular is a special whitening pencil.

There is no doubt that it is very cool to use, but numerous consumer reviews indicate the ambiguity of the method. Let's figure out how to use a teeth whitening pencil and identify the pitfalls.

Features of using a pencil

The main advantages of the whitening pencil are its compactness and ease of use in almost any conditions, which is very important for active and mobile city residents.

Teeth whitening with this method does not require any special effort.

The procedure consists of the following simple steps:

Rinse your teeth thoroughly after eating; it is recommended to do the procedure after eating, since then you will have to abstain from eating and drinking for an hour or longer.
After rinsing, you need to thoroughly wipe your teeth with a napkin; for the gel to work properly, they must be dry.
Apply the gel to the surface of each tooth, it will begin to foam - this is normal, which means the active substance has begun to act.
Now you need to sit with your mouth open from a minute to ten, depending on what the manufacturer recommends.
Rinse off the gel with water or do nothing (also indicated in the instructions for the pencil); some gels completely evaporate from the surface of the teeth during the procedure.

Each manufacturer must indicate in the instructions how to use a teeth whitening pencil. Recommendations may vary, but there are several general aspects:

Frequency of use is important for the effect - the gel is applied to the enamel twice a day.
The duration of the course is approximately two weeks.
You will only get results if you follow a special white diet in parallel with using the gel. It is necessary to stop or reduce the consumption of coffee, red wine, pomegranate juice and other coloring products. It is also worth reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke for two weeks.

How to whiten teeth correctly?

Step one: read the instructions

Be sure to pay attention to what is written in the instructions, even if this is not your first time doing whitening. Most products have similar methods of use, but due to the difference in composition there may be some differences in use. Therefore, read the instructions to the very end, paying special attention to possible side effects.

Remember that improper use of any whitening products is dangerous to the health of your teeth. The fact is that the process itself causes weakening of the enamel, so you need to approach it carefully. The active substance applied to the strips may cause soft tissue irritation and other problems.
Different brands of strips have different instructions, so every time you use a product from a new manufacturer, read the manual carefully.

Step two: brush your teeth

Before you begin whitening, brush your teeth thoroughly, otherwise food debris and plaque will prevent you from achieving good results.

Important:

Do not whiten your teeth immediately after brushing them; do this at least half an hour after the procedure.

If you want to achieve maximum results, it is better to have the cleaning done by a dentist. There are several procedures that will help restore teeth to their natural color and get rid of hard and soft plaque. The most popular options: ultrasonic cleaning and cleaning using an Air Flow device. The first is necessary if you have tartar. The second is a more gentle procedure; food debris and soft plaque are removed using a special abrasive solution, which is released under pressure.

Step Three: Prepare the Strips

Before you fix the strips, make sure you are using them correctly. Some manufacturers produce strips of various shapes for the upper and lower teeth. In other cases, the products do not differ from each other. Be sure to figure this out when you decide to whiten.

After you understand how to properly fix the elements, prepare the strips. The composition contains an active substance, most often it is based on hydrogen peroxide. The principle of operation is simple - oxygen is gradually released from peroxide, which penetrates the enamel, discoloring the pigment.
The smooth side does not contain active gel; its main function is to make it convenient for you to stick the strips to your teeth.

Step Four: Apply the strips to your teeth

Apply the strip to the front surface of your teeth with the gel side so that it completely covers the teeth, then smooth out any irregularities.
In order to straighten the strip, it is convenient to use a toothbrush.
Make sure that the strip actually covers the entire row of teeth, if you, of course, want to get a uniform result.
Try not to get the gel on your gums, especially during the period of wisdom teeth eruption, otherwise perioronitis may occur; if necessary, remove it with a cotton swab, as long-term presence of the active substance on soft tissues can cause irritation.

Step Five: Wait

After both strips are attached to the teeth, all that remains is to wait a little. Do not touch the strip for the process to proceed correctly. The required time depends on the concentration of the active substance and other factors. Therefore, be sure to read the instructions carefully to correctly determine how long you will need to wait. Usually the session lasts about half an hour, after which you can remove the strips.

Step Six: Remove the Strips

After the waiting time has passed, you need to carefully remove the strips. Slowly peel them off the enamel surface and discard.
Carefully watch the clock so as not to overexpose the gel on your teeth. This can lead to damage to the enamel or irritation of the gums, and the delay can also increase tooth sensitivity.
Remember that if you leave the strips on longer, the effect will not become more noticeable.
Be sure to rinse your mouth after removing the whitening strips. After this, to completely remove any remaining gel, brush your teeth with a toothbrush.

Seventh step: repeat the procedure

Unlike in-office whitening, home remedies never provide instant results. Therefore, to make your teeth whiter, you will have to undergo several procedures. The gel that is applied to the strips has a small concentration of the active substance, which is why the lightening is not immediately noticeable. But this also has its advantages, since the process becomes less destructive to the enamel. Remember that quality whitening requires patience. To obtain a noticeable effect, you will need to carry out several procedures. They should be repeated in accordance with the rules written in the instructions.

In most cases, you will need to do the procedure for 30 minutes twice a day.
The minimum recommended period for using whitening strips is 14 days.
The results become noticeable approximately four months after you start the procedure.

How the pencil works

Now let's figure out how the pencil actually works and why it can lighten the enamel. It's all about the composition of the gel. The basis here is the active substance, this can be one of two options:

Hydrogen peroxide. Usually has a low concentration (5-12%), but be careful, this is enough to damage the enamel if left on the teeth for too long. Peroxide reacts with oxygen, and it, in turn, oxidizes the pigments that are found in tooth enamel.
Urea peroxide. This is a weaker version of peroxide. Usually its content in the gel does not exceed 15%. When applied to teeth, oxygen begins to actively release from the composition and also oxidizes the pigment. The effect of such a gel is less, but it is safer for dental health. The composition is suitable for use on sensitive enamel, but since each case is individual, you should first consult with a specialist.

Consequences of using a whitening pencil

Before you start using a pencil, pay attention to what its use can lead to and evaluate the pros and cons.

Increased tooth sensitivity

Increased sensitivity occurs in any case; the manufacturer warns about this on the packaging. However, sensitivity may not go away on its own and gradually intensify with each use of the product, then only special pastes will help, and it is better to consult a doctor.

Non-guaranteed result

Not guaranteed result. To make your smile brighter, you will need to follow a transparent diet during the procedures and stop smoking. If you want to have a beautiful Hollywood smile, it is better to use one of the in-office whitening options. A pencil can be used as an additional tool.

Enamel destruction

Enamel destruction can develop due to improper use of the product or due to the individual characteristics of the enamel.
Therefore, before using a pencil, consult a dentist. If you do not want to risk your dental health, use ASEPTA PLUS Gentle Whitening toothpaste. It returns the natural color of the enamel to the teeth, gently cleanses and does not injure the teeth. Take care of yourself with professional products!

Flaws

Despite the huge number of advantages, such as the simplicity of the technique, its accessibility and quick effect, whitening with a gel also has some disadvantages:

Possibility of additional destruction of enamel if it gets into unclosed carious cavities, microcracks and wedge-shaped defects in the teeth.
The risk of developing irritation of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity due to careless application of the gel or its leakage.
If the drug is accidentally swallowed, a burn to the mucous membrane of the pharynx and esophagus is possible.
Allergic reactions may develop to the components of the whitening gel.

But if the whitening technology and precautions are strictly followed, the use of gels is absolutely safe.

Clinical researches

Clinical studies have proven that regular use of professional toothpaste ASEPTA GENTLE WHITENING for a month allows you to lighten tooth enamel by 1.5 tones, increases anti-caries effectiveness by 3.4 times and increases enamel remineralization by 2.6 times.

Sources:

Report on determining/confirming the preventive properties of toothpaste “ASEPTA PLUS” GENTLE WHITENING” Author: doctor-researcher A.A. Leontyev, head Department of Preventive Dentistry, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor S.B. Ulitovsky First St. Petersburg State Medical University named after. acad. I.P. Pavlova, Department of Preventive Dentistry
Report on the determination/confirmation of the preventive properties of personal oral hygiene products “ASEPTA PLUS” Remineralization doctor-researcher A.A. Leontyev, head Department of Preventive Dentistry, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor S.B. Ulitovsky First St. Petersburg State Medical University named after. acad. I.P. Pavlova, Department of Preventive Dentistry
Clinical studies of antisensitive toothpaste “Asepta Sensitive” (A.A. Leontyev, O.V. Kalinina, S.B. Ulitovsky) A.A. LEONTIEV, dentist O.V. KALININA, dentist S.B. ULITOVSKY, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Prof. Department of Therapeutic Dentistry, St. Petersburg State Medical University named after. acad. I.P. Pavlova
Report on determining/confirming the preventive properties of commercially produced personal oral hygiene products: Asepta toothpaste used in combination with Asepta mouthwash and Asepta gum balm Head. Department of PFS Doctor of Medical Sciences Professor S.B. Ulitovsky St. Petersburg State Medical University named after Academician I.P. Pavlova. Faculty of Dentistry. Department of Preventive Dentistry.

1 MOONBIFFY Bamboo Teeth Whitening

Price on AliExpress: from 144.03 rubles. Rating (2019): 4.8

This item has been purchased tens of thousands of times on AliExpress. He received a ton of reviews, and mind you - most of them are very positive. It seems that the expression that everything ingenious is simple is fully expressed in this magical black powder called teeth whitener. It looks like an ordinary jar. It contains bamboo powder, or rather bamboo charcoal. This ingredient has a lot of the best properties. In this case, it whitens teeth and disinfects the oral cavity. Quite a lot for a product that costs about two dollars.

But not everything is so rosy. Some users claim that the effect of brushing teeth with unusual whitener is not very noticeable. It should be borne in mind that powder is an abrasive that removes plaque from teeth and makes them lighter. At first, you won’t see any improvement, and it’s difficult to wash off the black mass from your teeth – you have to brush your teeth with regular toothpaste several times. So decide if you are ready for such a purchase.

Buy on AliExpress.com

For a long time I was looking at a whitening and very cheap pencil on the Aliexpress website - something always stopped me from buying it.

Delivery was free. Screenshot from the Aliexpress website for clarity

But my love for coffee makes itself felt by a permanent yellow coating on my teeth -

I have to go for professional whitening 2 times a year.

You understand how out of budget this is, so when I once again came across this pencil on the website, I gave up and ordered it.

It arrived just 2 months later - they just threw the bag in the mailbox, they didn’t even have to go to the post office.

Judging by the description on Aliexpress, my teeth were supposed to become white (which, of course, I can’t believe), the reviews are contradictory.

Someone praised the pencil, others wrote that nothing had changed. When I first opened this pencil, the smell was neutral, with slightly minty notes; I didn’t feel any sharp chemical aroma. This is already good.

Photo "BEFORE"

It’s a pity, but the box did not contain any normal instructions on how to apply, for how long, and whether the gel should be washed off afterwards. In general, I applied it to my upper front teeth for 5-6 minutes, then rinsed with water. I somehow didn’t want to swallow this “it’s unclear what.”

The product itself in the pencil is more like a liquid transparent gel in consistency - nothing special.

Photo “after” a week of use

When applying it to my teeth, I did not feel any tingling, there was no sensation at all.

However, after a week, my upper teeth developed sensitivity to cold - I ate ice cream and jumped straight up when it hit my teeth on this particular side where the gel was applied. Everything was fine with the lower teeth.

Therefore, I stopped using the gel and tried to evaluate the result visually.

Well, maybe the teeth have become a little lighter, but they still react to the cold. I hope this goes away. But I no longer want to experiment; I’d rather go to the dentist.

By the way, one front tooth was initially lighter - for some reason this effect remained after the previous whitening. But that is another story.

If you tried using this pencil for a long time, write in the comments what the result was?