The shelf life of teeth whitening gel is typically 12 months after purchase, although some gels may lack an expiration date. If the gel has a hazy color, it has expired and oxidized, rendering it ineffective for teeth whitening. Most teeth whitening agents are good for about a year after they are manufactured. Your dentist may have given it to you soon after receiving it from the manufacturer, but if it was stored in the refrigerator, the effectiveness of the product may be prolonged.
Any exposure to light will affect the potency level of the teeth whitening agent. When you open it, pay attention to the consistency of the gel. If it appears foggy or white, it's too old and may not be as effective. If the expiration date is set one year from the production date, it has a shelf life of one year. If the expiration date is set two years from the production date, it has a shelf life of 2 years.
The teeth whitening gel in your kit should not be used for more than 2 years after you purchased it. The good news? You don't have to go through the entire tray molding process again. Gels Expire, But Trays Never Do. Just buy a refill of gel, store one or two in the fridge and you'll never have to worry about being out of luck again. For less than the cost of dinner and a movie, you can fill your refrigerator with three syringes that will last up to two years. Watch out for flash sales of teeth whitening kits.
Often, the reason these kits are on sale is because they are close to their expiration date. If you plan to use the product before it expires, you're fine, but if you think it might take a while, don't buy the product. The main ingredient in whitening gel for bleaching is hydrogen peroxide. Over time, hydrogen peroxide converts to water and oxygen. If you try to use a whitening kit after its expiration date, you will likely only receive gel and water, since oxygen will have leaked out of the package. Oxygen is the key component for teeth whitening.
For best whitening results, discard any product you find in your home that has passed its expiration date. Your teeth and gums will first be examined to determine if this is the best time to whiten them or if there are other dental problems that need to be addressed first. If you choose to use over-the-counter whitening strips to whiten your teeth, keep in mind that these products are designed to be used in a healthy mouth. Some dentists offer free teeth whitening to patients who have a regular dental cleaning appointment. That's why some customers complain about sensitivity for a few days after the whitening process: there is a chemical change inside the teeth. After a teeth whitening treatment, enamel pores open, making them more vulnerable to staining. When your teeth are discolored or stained, your dentist can use professional teeth whitening techniques to improve your smile.
You don't need to stop staining food completely, but you should avoid them when you're doing teeth whitening. Depending on your dentist or whitening provider, you may be advised to tap or align the inside of your custom whitening tray. Make the results of your professional or home teeth whitening treatment last longer by following The White Diet for 24 to 48 hours afterwards. While not everyone needs to understand how the tooth looks whiter at the molecular level, anyone who wants to offer teeth whitening services should be able to.