Individual cap

Mouthguards are “covers” made of flexible medical silicone that are worn over the entire set of teeth. However, the cap itself does not whiten teeth – it is only a reservoir. The enamel is affected by the active components of the gel, with which the cap is filled from the inside. The main bleaching agent is hydrogen peroxide or carbamide.

The content of agents ranges from 6 to 45%, depending on the type of gel and type of cap. Additional components – potassium nitrate, fluorine – reduce the sensitivity of tooth enamel so that there is no discomfort from using the cap.

The devices are removable to put them on and take them off, you don’t need the help of a dentist, you can whiten your teeth with the use of mouthguards at home.

Types of teeth whitening pads

Mouthguards for teeth whitening can be bought at a pharmacy, NOWA dental clinic or ordered online. These are standard products that are used without fitting. Individual mouth guards are also used.

What mouthguards are used for whitening:

Standard mouthguards: a set of silicone plates for the upper and lower jaws. The set includes 10–14 overlays. This is the most budget option, but there are enough disadvantages. The plates are typical, so they fit the teeth imperfectly, due to which the gel can get on the mucous membrane and cause irritation.
Thermoplastic products: an intermediate option between standard and patient-specific mouthguards. Before the first use, the thermoplastic whitening cap is immersed in hot water, softens, and when it is fixed on the teeth, takes the shape of the jaw.
Individual mouthguards: are made in a dental laboratory based on casts of the patient’s jaws. Products are installed only in dental clinics, you cannot order online or buy in a store. These mouthguards are more expensive than other options, but they provide 100% anatomical fit exactly to your teeth, and therefore a better whitening effect.

Arguments “for” and “against” the use of caps for whitening

Teeth whitening mouthguards are so popular today primarily because of their benefits:

simplicity and ease of use: you can whiten your teeth yourself at home, on vacation, or even at work;
effect: the enamel lightens by 4-6 tones, which is equivalent to the results of whitening in dentistry;
aesthetic appearance: the mouthguards, which are made of colorless silicone, are invisible on the teeth, so if outsiders see you during whitening, they may not notice anything;
result-oriented: the dentist selects mouthguards and gel composition for a specific patient.

However, as with other whitening methods, there are limitations to the use of cap. Individual intolerance is the main one of them. Medical silicone does not cause mucosal irritation, but more often allergies occur to the components of the gel.

Other contraindications:

age up to 16 years;
pregnancy and lactation period;
thinned, hypersensitive enamel;
lip and tongue piercing;
pathological changes in the hard and soft tissues of the teeth – that is, any kind of caries, etc;
recent oral surgery, such as tooth extraction.

Importantly! If you have fillings, inlays, crowns in your mouth, whitening will not work on them.

These elements will retain their original color. That is why, if you have sealed areas or dentures in the smile area, you cannot whiten your teeth.

Teeth whitening with mouthguards: how it works

It is not difficult to use whitening mouthguards, the main thing is to follow the instructions and recommendations of the doctor.

How mouth guards are used:

Brush your teeth and wipe with a paper napkin or a clean towel.
Fill the inner part of the cap evenly with gel: the dosage of the product is performed according to the instructions.
Put pads on the jaws, press tightly. If excess gel gets on the gums, remove them with a napkin.
After the procedure, remove the mouthguards, rinse your mouth with water, and wash the mouthguards.

Whitening caps are worn every day from 30 minutes to 6-8 hours, put on during the day or at night depending on the type of caps and the composition of the gel. The whitening course lasts 1–3 months, the first results are visible after 10–14 days.

According to NOWA dentistry patients, mouthguards are a successful and safe alternative to home teeth whitening methods if the entire whitening course is coordinated with your attending dentist.