[Ghost]

Hi all,
I've just got a bleaching tray from my dentist (she took a mould of my mouth a few weeks back), and have been using it for the past 3 or 4 days.
Do any of you who use them have any tips on how I should be filling the tray with gel?
When I do it, it always seems to overflow, and more keeps coming no matter how many times I wipe away the excess. I'm not even putting that much in. This results in my gums aching like mad and being really sensitive the next morning.
Also, it seems as if only the bottoms of my teeth are actually getting whiter, the tops (near the gums) seem to be staying slightly more dull than the bottoms.

Any advice would be great.
Thanks.

[Ghost]

Apologies for the incorrect forum placement. (Was in H&R, is now in Fashion & Beauty)

[Sasuntsi Davit]

For me it's the same with the whitening effect; the near gum part of the teeth don't go as white as the tips.

As for the other problem, I put the gel at the top of the tray, and then when placing onto my teeth I let the gel drag across so all of the area is covered. I hardly get any excess gel coming out.

[Ghost]

Nice idea, I might try that. The way my dentist taught me to do it was to put quite a bit of gel at the bottom of the mould, letting it rise up the sides when your tooth is pushed into it.
What % is the gel you're using? Mine is 15%, which seems quite low judging by what you can buy online!

My dentist also told me that the 4 syringes I have will only last me 8 days in total! No chance, I've been using it for about 4 days now and I'm still on my first syringe.
My teeth are absolutely killing me, but I guess I'll go ahead and continue with it tonight - no pain, no gain... as they say.

[Sasuntsi Davit]

I have the 25% from Optident. I think any higher than that would seriously hurt your teeth/gums if you left it in too long.

I have gone through a syring a week so far, although that's because I get no excess gel coming out, and I place the gel in areas I can see need whitening more than others...

[eDDeboo]

It hurts?
I can't wait to get my teeth whitened after my braces are removed

[Sasuntsi Davit]

(Original post by eDDeboo)
It hurts?
I can't wait to get my teeth whitened after my braces are removed

Yeap it hurts for a few days in the beginning, really depends on the concentration of the gel.

I actually couldn't sleep the first night due to my gums hurting, but after that it was only a minor irritation.

[MediterraneanX]

how much is it costing you to get them whitened? I'm quite interested in getting it done

[Ghost]

To be fair, the hurting is more "extreme sensitivity" than actual pain. Just sitting here right now it feels like I've just bitten into ice cream .

MediterraneanX, it cost me £100 for one mould and 4 syringes. The most expensive part is the mould (you need one mould per set of teeth (top/bottom)). The syringes of gel are actually quite cheap. I think you can get them for about £20, and they'll last a month. I think the actual whitening of the teeth lasts ages though.

All in all, I'd say it's quite good value for money if you're interested.

[shell_xx]

I whitened my teeth a few months ago with the Optident one. I found the same problem - the tops of my teeth became white and it didn't really affect the tooth towards my gums. In the end I got the top parts to the colour I wanted, and then had to just put the whitener on the bottom part to match it up.

So glad I did it though, I had that done and veneers and it's made such a difference

[Floozie]

I having my teeth whitened at the dentist, but I've been told it will cost £350, I know its the tray system. Do you think thats a rip-off?

[Laevis]

(Original post by shell_xx)
I whitened my teeth a few months ago with the Optident one. I found the same problem - the tops of my teeth became white and it didn't really affect the tooth towards my gums. In the end I got the top parts to the colour I wanted, and then had to just put the whitener on the bottom part to match it up.

So glad I did it though, I had that done and veneers and it's made such a difference

How much did the veneers cost?

I've used some normal whitening products, like high street ones, and they worked pretty well. It was nothing long term, though, i just put them on the night before my prom or award ceremonies and stuff for that extra shine ;grin;

[Ghost]

(Original post by Floozie)
I having my teeth whitened at the dentist, but I've been told it will cost £350, I know its the tray system. Do you think thats a rip-off?

Are you getting both sets of teeth done? If not, then I'd say it most likely is a rip off.

[Ghost]

(Original post by shell_xx)
I whitened my teeth a few months ago with the Optident one. I found the same problem - the tops of my teeth became white and it didn't really affect the tooth towards my gums. In the end I got the top parts to the colour I wanted,

How did you go about getting the tops (near the gums) whitened without touching the bottoms? It seems difficult to be specific with the gel placement.

[Floozie]

(Original post by Ghost)
Are you getting both sets of teeth done? If not, then I'd say it most likely is a rip off.

You mean top and bottom? Yeh I will be. I kinda trust my dentist though as shes known me all my life. Still is does seem quite expensive....

[Ghost]

Since it's both sets, that does seem a bit more reasonable. At my dentist, it's £100 per set. Maybe you're getting charged the extra £50 for extra bleach?

[Laevis]

(Original post by Ghost)
Since it's both sets, that does seem a bit more reasonable. At my dentist, it's £100 per set. Maybe you're getting charged the extra £50 for extra bleach?

She's paying £350, so it's £150 more than you.

[Ilora-Danon]

I've got the trays with the bleach (proper dentist one, not shop bought) and have no pain whatsoever. I've never had a problem with overflowing, nor uneven discolouration. Weird...

[Angelil]

I've used the shop-bought ones before. Didn't work at all Not to mention that, as you've said, they're absolutely disgusting to use, and not even worth the trouble if they don't work.

[Ilora-Danon]

The shop bought ones don't work, and worst of all, they're dangerous. Peroxide that goes anywhere near one's mouth should in my opinion, only be given out by dentists.