Teeth Whitening Pen: Pros and Cons
Everyone wants a beautiful smile, but not everyone is born with one. If you are not in love with your smile, there are ways to improve it and make it more appealing. A teeth whitening pen is one option.
A teeth whitening pen resembles a lipstick pencil or ballpoint pen. Like lip color, it is a simple way to dress your face and brighten your smile. After all, a smile is your prettiest adornment.
A beautiful smile is a confidence booster that encourages even more smiles. Purposeful smiling inspires happiness and joy. When your smile shows off your shiny white teeth, it is memorable for others as well.
There are many ways to whiten your teeth, from at-home products to Zoom teeth whitening. Your Los Angeles best cosmetic dentist can give you more details. For at-home treatments, a teeth whitening pen is a popular way to get a beautiful smile.
Could a teeth whitening pen brighten your smile? To answer this question, all you have to do is go online. You can find good reviews and bad reviews on the internet. This post offers a balanced look at the pros and cons of whitening pens.
What Is a Teeth Whitening Pen?
A teeth whitening pen, or brush-on whitener, is an over-the-counter teeth bleaching product. It utilizes the same peroxide compounds used in other at-home systems.
The difference between a teeth whitening pen and other bleaching systems is the product’s delivery method. In this case, the lack of a delivery system makes a teeth whitening pen unique.
For a teeth whitener to be effective, the bleaching agent must stay in contact with the teeth during treatment. Some methods promote contact through bleaching trays or plastic strips. Brush-on products do not use a treatment device.
Instead, a teeth whitening pen uses a bleaching gel to paint each tooth that needs treating. The gel goes straight from the applicator brush (or pen) to the surface of the teeth. After you apply the gel, it solidifies into a film that adheres to your teeth.
This whitening film produces the lightening effect. After a certain amount of time has passed, the film dissolves in your mouth and washes away. Some brands suggest that you use a teeth whitening pen twice a day for optimal results.
How to Use a Teeth Whitening Pen
There are many different pen whiteners on the market. Details vary from one product to the next, so follow instructions for best results. Here are some general guidelines for using a teeth whitening pen.
The Bleaching Agent
The typical brush-on teeth whitening pen uses peroxide-based compounds. Carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are the most common bleaching agents.
The first-ever commercial whitening product used carbamide peroxide with an 18 percent concentration. This amount is equal to a little over six percent hydrogen peroxide.
Many tray-based bleaching systems use this compound. The technique led to an explosion of over-the-counter teeth whitening products.
Other forms of peroxide, such as sodium percarbonate peroxide, became popular over time. Today, most teeth whiteners use hydrogen peroxide. The typical concentration is between six and nine percent.
Zoom teeth whitening and similar systems use a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide. You can learn more about professional teeth whitening at Southland Dental Care. Ask for a free dental consultation to discuss all your treatment options.
Gel Application Tips
The typical way to apply brush-on gel is to paint it onto the teeth you want to lighten. The treatment period for a teeth whitening pen is between 20 and 30 minutes.
It is important to focus on all visible tooth surfaces, especially areas with heavy staining. You can reduce irritation by stopping the coverage short of the gum line.
For best results, allow the whitening film to dry for 10 to 15 seconds after application. Some brands make it necessary to dry your teeth before using a teeth whitening pen. You can dry your teeth by air drying or wiping them with a dry towel.
It goes without saying, but avoid eating and drinking during a treatment session. Even friction caused by your lips or cheeks can dislodge the whitening film. This will make your treatment less effective.
The whitening film will dissolve at the end of your treatment. After it wears off, use a toothbrush to remove any lingering film from your teeth.
Advantages of a Teeth Whitening Pen
A teeth whitening pen has unique advantages over other at-home systems. In fact, many teeth whitening methods cannot match the features of a pen. Here are some advantages of a whitening pin, according to some of the good reviews online.
Convenience
A teeth whitening pen is more convenient than a bleaching tray or plastic strips. At-home systems are often cumbersome and hard to keep in place. They are also more likely to irritate your gums or trigger excess saliva.
A pen whitener is simple to use, and the small size makes it easy to tuck in your purse or briefcase. This allows you to brighten your smile whenever – and wherever – your teeth need whitening.
Control
Better control is another benefit of tooth whitening pens. The brush-on application gives you precise control over areas that need whitening. A pen is much more accurate and less irritating than other whitening treatments.
Flexibility
Pen whiteners have another unique feature: flexibility. Unlike other bleaching methods, they are suitable for treating individual teeth. With a teeth whitening pen, you can apply bleaching gel to one tooth or a few selected teeth.
This allows you to get satisfactory results for the teeth that need it the most. This is not always possible for other at-home methods.
Affordability
Compared to trays and strips, a teeth whitening pen is more affordable. In fact, it is the least expensive way to brighten your smile at home.
This is not to say all over-the-counter products give you the same results. They do not. Some at-home whitening methods are more effective than others.
The results you get with a pen can motivate you to explore other options, such as in-office treatments. Zoom teeth whitening is one example. Contact Southland Dental Care for a free dental consultation to discuss professional treatments.
Disadvantages of a Teeth Whitening Pen
Although you want to see good online reviews, bad reviews are also useful. They provide information that can help you determine the best treatment option. Here are potential downsides of a teeth whitening pen.
Awkward Application
One criticism of brush-on whiteners is the ease of use – or lack thereof. While the application process is simple, it is not always easy. It can feel awkward to pain gel on your teeth, and complete coverage can be challenging.
There may be areas you cannot see well enough to treat, but other people can see them. In one study, participants were able to cover only 85 percent of tooth surfaces.
Minimal Results
Another common criticism of brush-on gel is that it washes away too soon. If you are not careful, you can dislodge the whitening film. This can have a minimal or uneven whitening effect.
Other at-home products keep contact between the bleaching agent and your teeth. They also serve as barriers between the whitener and the general mouth environment.
A teeth whitening pen applies bleaching agent to your teeth. But it does not offer the same degree of protection from other elements.
Side Effects
Most pen whiteners involve standard, peroxide-based bleaching. This can cause the same side effects as other at-home methods. Gum irritation and tooth sensitivity are the most common side effects.
For most people, side effects are mild in nature. For serious symptoms, call your Los Angeles best cosmetic dentist for professional attention.
Other Concerns
You may have more questions about brush-on teeth whiteners. For example, are they safe? Two studies looked at the effect of whitening pens on enamel, dentin and dental fillings. They found no significant negative effects.
You might wonder how a teeth whitening pen affects your existing dental work. The thing to know about all peroxide whiteners is they do not work on dental restorations.
This means your dental work may need replacement after a tooth whitening treatment. For this reason, it is important to talk to your dentist before any whitening treatment. Ask your Los Angeles best cosmetic dentist for advice.
Conclusion
At-home bleaching methods, like whitening pens, are generally safe to use. Read good reviews and bad reviews before making a decision. Your dentist can help you choose the right treatment.
A beautiful smile is a healthy smile, and your dentist can provide the best care for your teeth. When it comes to whitening, there is nothing better than a professional treatment. Contact a dentist at Southland Dental Care for a free dental consultation.
And get ready to love your smile again!
