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I have been using some teeth whitening that I bought over the counter. It has this tray that I use, but I’m supposed to keep it in for two hours. This has been aggravating my TMJ. I recently read about a different system, the Tanda Pearl Ionic Teeth Whitening System. Is that safe? Will it work? It says that I would only have to wear their trays for 5 minutes a day. I feel like that would be easier on my jaws.
Ursula
Dear Ursula,
So I looked into this. While it does have a legitimate teeth whitening ingredient, I don’t think it is going to be helpful for you. This kit has only one tray. In order to keep it in your mouth, you will have to bite down on it. Even for just five minutes, you are going to find that will cause even more jaw pain than what you are currently experiencing.
A second issue with the trays is that they do not keep the whitening gel secure. This causes two problems. First, the gel can get out of the trays, which both weakens its effectiveness and puts your soft tissue, like your gums, at risk. Second, it allows your saliva to get into the tray. This further weakens the gel’s effectiveness.
My recommendation is that instead of trying these over-the-counter kits, you go to your dentist and get professional teeth whitening done. A dentist can make you custom-fitted teeth whitening trays that will fit your teeth perfectly. Not only will that keep you from having your jaw ache, but it can also make your whitening more effective.
By the way, there is nothing magical about the two hours which the first kit told you to use. If your jaw hurts with two hours, do it for one. It just means that it will take a little longer to get the whitening level that you want. If whitening alone will not give you the look you want, you can also ask about longer-term cosmetic options such as porcelain veneers.
If you’re in Auburn, AL and want a whitening option that’s easier on your jaw, the team at Auburn Dental can help you find a more comfortable approach.
