Carinn x Invisalign: UPDATED Opalescence Technique! (Teeth Whitening)

Happy September! Why is this year flying by so fast.. Anyway, not long ago, I did a post on my DIY teeth whitening at home using Opalescence Teeth Whitening Kit. The results weren't as impressive as I thought and I recently found out that there's actually a more effective method to use this kit, which is what I'll be sharing about with you today! Here you go, my UPDATED Opalescence method! Big thanks to the people at Opalescence for sending me more of these gel as I finished using the previous ones that I got from my dentist already :p Yay, whiter teeth~

Opalescence is a take-home whitening gel with 3 flavours and 4 different concentrations for treatment flexibility. Opalescence contains PF (potassium nitrate and fluoride) which helps to maintain the health of the enamel throughout the whitening process. It is proven that PF can help to reduce cavities, minimise sensitivity, increase enamel hardness and improve the overall health of your teeth. It is also formulated to prevent dehydration and shade relapse, so your teeth will stay whiter for a longer time. You can find more introduction and information on the kit in my previous post. This green one isn't flavoured though, it's the original flavour and the other flavours available are Mint & Melon. Currently, you can only get these whitening gels from your dentist. 

Now here's the updated method! You can find out more and view the photos in this link. Previously, I used a brush to apply the gel onto my teeth directly before wearing my retainers but this time, I dispense the gel directly onto the retainer. The gel is sticky and viscous, but don't expect it to dispense like in the photo on the website.. It doesn't actually come out in one continuous 'stream', it's actually a bit 'lumpy' to me.. But I still make it work by squeezing BEAD BY BEAD on to my retainer tray and use the tip of the syringe to spread it out across each 'tooth' on the retainer. The difference between this method and the previous one is that this method allows the gel to be spread out thicker and more evenly. However, I find that it does leak out onto my gum though, especially when I bite down on my chewy to adjust the retainer position. I try not to swallow the gel when it touches my tongue cos I'm pretty sure it can't be good for you.. Lol. Unlike the directions given as well, I don't spread the gel all the way till my back molars, only the few front teeth because let's face it, those are the only few that matters when you smile anyway :p You are supposed to use about 1/3 - 1/2 per use, but because I don't dispense it throughout the whole tray, one syringe can last for about 4 days.

As mentioned, there are 4 concentrations for the Opalescence teeth whitening gel. This one that I got has a concentration of 15% (carbamide peroxide), which means I'm supposed to wear it for 4 - 6 hours. For sensitive teeth and at-home use, the 10 - 15% kit is more suitable as the formula isn't as strong/ corrosive, which is why you have to wear it for a longer time. One syringe can last you up to 7 days and the effect is more obvious if you use it consistently and consecutively. However, I wear my retainers at night so the whitening gel is usually worn througout the night as I sleep.. Not sure if this is more effective or not, but I do try not to use the whitening gel too often as my teeth tends to get sensitive. FYI, the results lasted me for about 2 - 3 months with good maintenance. Of course, this is all subjective and depends on the individual's lifestyle. You can read more about it here.

Don't forget to brush your teeth after removing the retainers! Use your finger or better still, a soft toothbrush to clean off any excess gel on the teeth. Rinse twice to make sure you don't eat any of the leftover gel! I'm way more cautious at using the whitening gel this time round as my teeth got very sensitive previously till the point that I can't drink hot or cold water for a few weeks. There's a common misconception that if you use a whitening toothpaste, the results will be better but I find that it only made my teeth feel weaker.. So I'd recommend you to use a toothpaste for sensitive relief to avoid teeth sensitivity if you're gonna be using any form of teeth whitening! 

It is important to clean your retainers or aligner even when you don't wear it. Usually, I'll clean my retainer tray with a toothbrush and cool running water before storing it in the retainer case.

Ok so you must be curious about the results? Well, be patient as I've only started using this kit for a few days. One syringe down, will be starting a new syringe tonight! I will post up the results in the next post! #staytuned ;)

For more information on Opalescence, check out:

Website | Facebook 

Disclaimer: Even though the product was sponsored and sent to me for review, it has not affected my opinion in anyway. The review is based on my honest personal thoughts, experiences and preference after trying out the product. Effects may vary depending on the individual.

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