The gel normally expires 12 months after purchase, although some gels may lack an expiration date. If you look at the gel and it looks like it has a hazy color, it has expired and it oxidizes. At this point, it will have no effect on teeth whitening. Most teeth whitening agents are good for about a year after they are manufactured.
Your dentist may have given it to you soon after receiving it from the manufacturer. However, you may have been in the dentist's office for some time. If the dentist stored it in the refrigerator, the effectiveness of the product may be prolonged. Generally speaking, any exposure to light will affect the potency level of the teeth whitening agent.
When you open it, pay attention to the consistency of the gel. If it appears foggy or white, it's too old. It's probably still safe to use. However, it may not be as effective and offer remarkable results.
If the expiration date is set one year from the production date, it has a shelf life of one year. If the expiration date is set two years from the production date, it has a shelf life of 2 years. I didn't find anything in SDC gel specifically, but other similar products have a shelf life of approximately 18-24 months. After that point, chemicals are less effective.
Using a gel that has already passed shouldn't be harmful, just less effective for whitening teeth. If the gel is cloudy, it's a sign that it's over, it's better. We all want a bargain, but watch out for flash sales of teeth whitening kits. Often, the reason these kits are on sale is because they are close to their expiration date.
If you plan to use the product before it expires, you're fine, but if you think it might take a while, don't buy the product. The main ingredient in whitening gel for bleaching is hydrogen peroxide. Over time, hydrogen peroxide converts to water and oxygen. If you try to use a whitening kit after its expiration date, you will likely only receive gel and water, since oxygen will have leaked out of the package.
Oxygen is the key component for teeth whitening. For best whitening results, discard any product you find in your home that has passed its expiration date. When buying whitening strips or other over-the-counter products, don't store them in hot areas, such as near vents. Your teeth and gums will first be examined to determine if this is the best time to whiten them or if there are other dental problems that need to be addressed first.
When your teeth are discolored or stained, your dentist can use professional teeth whitening techniques to improve your smile. If you choose to use over-the-counter whitening strips to whiten your teeth, keep in mind that these products are designed to be used in a healthy mouth. While not everyone needs to understand how the tooth looks whiter at the molecular level, anyone who wants to offer teeth whitening services should be able to. For professional and over-the-counter teeth whitening, the first few days after treatment are the most important.
Make the results of your professional or home teeth whitening treatment last longer by following The White Diet for 24 to 48 hours afterwards. Look for this seal of acceptance on your teeth whitening products to ensure their effectiveness or talk to your dentist. Your dentist will also provide you with personalized trays and whitening gel that is right for your circumstances. Generic whitening kits may contain the same peroxide active ingredient, but are not tested to ensure effectiveness.
Over-the-counter dentist-dispensed household teeth whiteners are eligible for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. If you plan to go to the grocery store and then leave them in the car, don't make this trip when you pick up your bleaching products. When they expire, the hydrogen peroxide they contain breaks down and leaves only water and oxygen, which will not whiten your teeth. Only use whitening products that are not close to their expiration date, giving you plenty of time to brighten your teeth while the hydrogen peroxide is active and intact.
You don't need to stop staining food completely, but you should avoid them when you're doing teeth whitening. Since over-the-counter whitening products don't always provide the results you want, you may be tempted to use them more often. . .
