We all know the feeling when we look in the mirror after brushing our teeth and see that our teeth are a little less bright than they were yesterday. It’s not just because of how long it’s been since your last dentist appointment, or because you haven’t been taking good care of them lately—it’s also because of something called tooth staining.
So what’s a person to do? You could go back to the dentist every six months for a cleaning (and spend hundreds on top of that), or you could use a teeth whitening pen! These pens are easy-to-use and affordable, so there’s no reason not to give it a try.
Read on to learn more about How To Use A Teeth Whitening Pen, Do Teeth Whitening Pens Work and Teeth Whitening Pen Side Effects
How To Use A Teeth Whitening Pen
Having a brighter and whiter smile doesn’t just improve our appearance—it improves our confidence, too. So it’s no wonder we have so manyover-the-counter whitening productsbeyond just whitening toothpaste. One such product is a teeth whitening pen, which could be added to your oral care routine to enhance the brightness and whiteness of your teeth. Here, we’ll discuss what they are, how to use them, and their effectiveness.
What Is a Teeth Whitening Pen?
Teeth can be stained from colored foods, such as berries, red sauces, coffee, tea, red wine, dark-colored sodas, and cigarettes. Likewhitening toothpaste, a teeth whitening pen fights these common stains—but it differs from toothpaste because of its size, portability, and general convenience.
Structurally, they are thin, plastic tubes that house a whitening gel and are designed to be small and portable. These pens can help improve your teeth’ color by removing leftover stains on each tooth’s surface. These whitening products often produce visible results quickly—sometimes, even after your first round of use.
Teeth whitening pens are ideal if you want to add a last-minute touchup to your teeth’s whiteness, perhaps because you have a special event coming up or want to add some sparkle in a short amount of time. And don’t be ashamed of wanting to brighten up your smile; frustration with teeth color is quite common; according to a2016 article in Operative Dentistry, over one-third of Americans are dissatisfied with the color of their teeth. So if you’re looking for a quick and simple method for brightening your smile, a teeth whitening pen could be a great option.
Ingredients
So, how do teeth whitening pens work? Like most over-the-counter teeth whitening products, teeth whitening pens typically contain one of two bleaches: hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. According to theAmerican Dental Association, these tooth bleaches break stains into smaller pieces. That, in turn, makes the stain less concentrated and make your teeth look brighter. It’s worth noting that, according to a 2016 study in Operative Dentistry, there is no significant difference in these two bleaches’ effectiveness, so a pen containing either bleach should be a good option. If you’re interested in using a teeth whitening penor are curious about other types of teeth whitening methods, chat with your oral care provider first to discuss the best option for your needs.
Convenience
The main benefit of teeth whitening pens is convenience—unlike whitening trays and strips, a whitening pen is portable and small enough to fit in your pocket or purse so that you can take it on the go. Another benefit of teeth whitening pens is that they’re relatively quick and straightforward to use. While instructions may vary from product to product, the application mainly involves a few seconds of twisting and applying—that’s it!
How Effective Are They?
When it comes to these pens’ effectiveness, it really depends on your type of discoloration and the application process. First,not all stains are created equal: these bleaching agents will likely whiten yellow stains but probably won’t whiten brown or grey stains. Also, this whitening method will not work on crowns, veneers, or fillings. It’s also important to closely follow the instructions, as the bleaching agents must remain on your teeth for a certain amount of time for the peroxides to interact with your stain, so you’ll have to avoid eating, rinsing, and drinking after you apply. This can be hard—but stay strong; it’ll be worth it!
That being said, if you’re using your teeth whitening pen correctly on yellowing teeth, you should see quick results. If you’re looking for a more significant boost to your teeth’s brightness, your dentist may have more powerful options, as these over-the-counter products typically contain a less concentrated amount of bleach than you would receive at the dentist’s office. Again—talk to your oral care provider about the best type of teeth whitening method.
How to Use
Instructions will likely have you use it twice daily. Here’s how a teeth whitening pen typically works:
- First, start by brushing your teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush.
- After a thorough brushing, remove the top cap of the pen and twist the bottom of the pen until you see the gel on the brush tip.
- Then, apply a thin layer of whitening gel to each tooth’s surface, making sure the entire tooth’s surface is in contact with the whitening gel.
- Finally, don’t rinse. The product needs to stay on your teeth to work.
Side Effects
Sometimes, you may experience tooth sensitivity due to peroxide in the whitener pushing through your enamel and making contact with dentin, which may irritate your tooth’s nerve. But fear not—because teeth whitening pens have low doses of bleach, this type of sensitivity is typically mild and temporary. But if the sensitivity feels like too much to handle, talk to your dental care provider.
You deserve a whiter and brighter smile, and teeth whitening pens can make it easy to achieve. If quick and convenient teeth whitening is your goal, then this might be the right choice for you. To make regular improvements that stay with you, follow the directions of the product you use, and you should be on your way to a brighter, sparkling smile.
Do Teeth Whitening Pens Work
We all want to experiencewhiter teeth for a brighter smile, and many of us will go to great lengths to get there. There are so many different whitening products on the market that it can be difficult to navigate and understand what works and what doesn’t.
One such popular trend in the teeth whitening industry is a teeth whitening pen. Do teeth whitening pens work, and are they good for your teeth? While this simple, portable solution might seem like it’s whitening your teeth, it’s really only best for short-term results or maintaining an already white and bright smile.
In this guide, we will discuss more specifics so you know just what you can expect from using a teeth whitening pen and understand just how they work overall.
1. What is a teeth whitening pen?
A teeth whitening pen is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. These convenient pens can be carried on your person, whether you have them in your car, purse, or pocket. Each pen is filled with a whitening formula (this could vary by the manufacturer) designed to whiten your teeth on the go.
Most pens work by twisting to release the serum, just as you might twist a writing pen to release ink. The serum inside the pen will coat your teeth, helping to cover and reduce dark spots. You simply brush the top of the pen across your tooth surface and let it do the work.
The unique thing about whitening pens is they typically do not require any brushing or rinsing as part of the process. You just brush it on and go.
If you look at the details of the pens, you will find that most of them tell you that they work best when paired with other whitening products or when used to touch up challenging stains on your teeth.
2. How do teeth whitening pens work?
You will find that not all teeth whitening pens are made the same. They can contain a variety of different ingredients. However, most of them will be similar in function. Teeth whitening pens typically contain either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide to bleach your teeth and break up stains.
When you apply the whitening formula to your teeth using a pen, you may notice bubbling on the surface. That is a sign that the whitening is working, but there remains some question as to how long it works or how effective it is overall.
When you use the pen, it is meant for touch-ups or use in between other whitening processes. For example, if your teeth are prone to stains, you could use a teeth whitening pen after drinking things like coffee or soda that are more likely to leave stains behind.
Teeth whitening pens work best as a maintenance response than used primarily as a whitening treatment on their own. It can help prevent some of those “sticky” foods and drinks from sticking as much to your teeth, keeping your teeth bright.
3. Benefits of Teeth Whitening Pens
There are some great benefits to teeth whitening pens. If you’re looking for lasting and strong results, you will need to pair the teeth whitening pen with other whitening solutions. However, for quick results and on-the-go solutions, teeth whitening pens can be really helpful.
Check out these benefits of teeth whitening pens.
- Affordable solution. A teeth whitening pen is often affordable, and you can typically find them at your local drug store. If you want whitening capabilities that won’t cost a lot, this could be a good solution. It might also be good for upkeep if you have used other more expensive solutions.
- Simplicity. Using a teeth whitening pen is easy and convenient. You don’t need to let it sit, and you don’t need extra accessories or an appointment. You simply brush on the solution at your convenience and avoid food and drink for 20-30 minutes. Apply it whenever and wherever you please.
- Effective application. If you use a high-quality whitening pen, it can be effective for reducing stains, covering hard-to-handle stains, and providing maintenance between other techniques. It is effective as a short-term solution and quick fix.
- Gentle to use. Teeth whitening pens are gentle on your teeth for the most part. You will want to pay attention to active ingredients, but these typically will not cause added sensitivity to your teeth like some whitening solutions might.
4. Downsides to Using Teeth Whitening Pens
There are always downsides to be aware of with any product, and the same rings true of teeth whitening pens. While they do work effectively for short-term and spot use, their capabilities are limited.
Here are some potential downsides to using teeth whitening pens.
- The results are short-lived
- Saliva can easily break down the active ingredient
- It’s not a sustainable option for long-term results
- Teeth whitening pens may reduce your tooth enamel
- The formula or serum in the pens can sometimes cause gum irritation
- Teeth whitening pens might cause sensitivity
- Whitening might be inconsistent or uneven
5. Do Teeth Whitening Pens Really Work?
Essentially, teeth whitening pens really can work, but keep in mind that they are best when used as a quick fix or as a maintenance tool as opposed to the ultimate whitening solution. Most times, teeth whitening pens will need to be paired with other whitening processes to be effective.
6. Final Words
Teeth whitening pens certainly can have a time and place that they will work for you. We recommend that you pair this solution with some other process and rely on the pen for spot fixes and upkeep rather than your only whitening process.
Teeth Whitening Pen Side Effects
Harmful Effects of Using Teeth Whitening Pens
Teeth whitening pens are a convenient way of having whiter teeth without much effort. A fifteen minutes application will leave you with a brighter smile. However, the wrong use of a teeth whitening pen could result in side effects some of which are listed below:
- Destruction of the enamel: continued use of a teeth whitening pen will result in the damage to the tooth enamel. The damage caused cannot be reversed and this may lead to bacterial infections that will further damage the teeth.
- Irritation of the gums: Every time you use a teeth whitening pen, a portion of the whitening gel will get to the gums and with time, the gums will suffer from irritations and severe pain. You should ensure that you wipe off any whitening gel that touches the gums to avoid such effects.
- Teeth sensitivity: Prolonged use of teeth whitening pens will eventually make the teeth sensitive as a result of the erosion by the whitening gel. Some of the pens that contain hydrogen peroxide should be used for some time and breaks should be taken in between to avoid damaging the enamel.
- It may lead to uneven whitening of the teeth especially when some of the teeth are artificial. This is because teeth whitening agents will not work on artificial teeth unless you decide to change the artificial enamel and get one that matches the current teeth shade.
- If you use a teeth whitening pen when some of the teeth have cavities, the gel may get to the roots and gum leading to further damage to the teeth.
All teeth whitening pens should be used with caution to avoid damaging the tooth enamel and the gums as well. It will be important to consult a dentist before you use any whitening product so that he can detect any dental problem that could be made worse by teeth whitening pens.
