How to Get a Great Smile

Posted on: 16 May 2017

Whitening trays are one of the most popular ways of whitening teeth, but you should really have yours made by a dentist to ensure that they properly cover your teeth. If you opt for a store-bought version, it may not fit properly, and poorly-fitted whitening trays present several problems.

Here are just four.

1. Uneven Results

The main reason why a whitening tray should be custom-made around your teeth is that this is how you'll achieve the best results. Whitening gel needs to be placed against all tooth surfaces. If this does not happen, it's likely that you'll end up with certain sections whitened and others not. The difference can be quite noticeable if your teeth were heavily stained, and it can be hard to swiftly return all teeth to the same shade. If your whitening trays don't fit properly, it means the gel isn't going to be spread evenly.

2. Possible Tooth Movement

Whitening gel doesn't work instantly. As such, you need to keep the trays in for a few hours each day. If your trays don't fit well, it means that they will place pressure on certain teeth. This can feel quite uncomfortable, and it can also result in movement. Your teeth can move under pressure, which is why braces are able to correct an uneven set. If one or two teeth move a little due to poorly-fitted whitening trays, it can create a chain reaction that causes others to move as well.

3. Irritated Gums

Whitening gel will not harm your teeth. However, it can irritate the gums. This is unlikely to be a problem when you use proper whitening trays since the gel will be kept away from the gums and any that does escape will be quickly washed away by your saliva. However, poorly-fitted trays often press up against the gums, placing them in prolonged contact with whitening gel.

4. Choking Hazard

As mentioned above, whitening trays need to be worn for at least a few hours, so many people wear them as they sleep. This is usually fine since those trays will stay perfectly in place if they have been provided by a dentist. In contrast, a poorly-fitted set of trays may come loose as you sleep, presenting a choking hazard. They're large enough to ensure that they are unlikely to slip down your windpipe, but it can still be quite distressing to wake up with them towards the back of your mouth instead of fixed against your teeth.