Does Teeth Whitening Gel Expire? (2024)

Shelf Life

Many things affect the shelf-life of teeth whitening gels, such as the active ingredient, concentration/strength of the active ingredient, the formulation itself, the container the gel is in, and temperature. Different types of gel have different shelf lives.

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 date of production, it has a 2-year shelf-life.

At Beaming White, we actually test gel stability/shelf-life for every batch of gel immediately after the gel is manufactured. We do this by placing the gel in an incubator that is set at 45°C (113°F) 24 hours a day, and seeing for how many days, weeks or months it maintains its integrity. If the gel doesn’t last as long as it should, the entire batch is discarded (although this hasn’t happened in many years). We also keep retained samples in refrigeration and at room temperature for 2 years, at which point we check the gel to make sure it’s still in gel form and that the concentration is still high enough.

Here’s what to look for before buying and a couple of things that affect how long a gel lasts before it expires…

Does Teeth Whitening Gel Expire? (2024)

FAQs

Does Teeth Whitening Gel Expire? ›

Over time, hydrogen peroxide changes to water and oxygen. If you try and use a whitening kit after its expiration date, chances are you will only be getting gel and water as the oxygen will have leaked from the package. The oxygen is the key component for whitening your teeth.

Is it okay to use expired teeth whitening gel? ›

Don'tUse Expired Products

These products are typically marked down when they're close toexpiring. Using expired whitening products means you won't get the results youwant. When they expire, the hydrogen peroxide in them breaks down and leavesonly water and oxygen, which won't brighten your teeth.

Does Crest whitening gel expire? ›

Our Crest Whitening Emulsions have a shelf life of 2 years.

How long can you keep teeth whitening gel? ›

NOTE - Use 30 minutes at first time. Next time one hour. Gradually increase the wear time. You may wear your trays overnight if you have no sensitivities with 4 hours.

What happens if you use expired teeth whitening strips? ›

When whitening strips age, the active chemicals may no longer function as well as they should, resulting in less whitening. Expired whitening strips can cause dental sensitivity and gum inflammation. This is because the gel's makeup or potency may have altered over time, making it more acidic or abrasive.

What happens if you use expired gel? ›

The Dangers of Outdated Styling Products. Expired styling products like hair gels and mousses can leave residue on your hair, making it feel greasy or sticky. In worst cases, an expired gel can cause scalp inflammation or hair breakage.

Is it bad to use expired oral gel? ›

How to store ORAJEL MOUTH GEL Keep this medicine out of the reach and sight of children. Do not use Orajel Mouth Gel if the tube or pack is damaged. Do not use Orajel Mouth Gel after the expiry date which is stated on the pack. Orajel Mouth Gel contains 10% w/w of benzocaine as the active ingredient.

What happens if you don't refrigerate whitening gel? ›

The challenge with such instability, however, is that all whitening gels will begin degenerating immediately upon manufacture unless they are kept under constant refrigeration. If left at room temperature or exposed to warmer climates and hot shipping temperatures, the peroxide gel will lose potency.

What is the best whitening gel for teeth? ›

Hadaegh's specific reasons why.
  • Opalescence PF 35% Whitening Gel. [Opalescence 35% is] my personal favorite choice and the whitening gel I use. ...
  • Opalescence Go 15% ...
  • Lumibrite 32% ...
  • Zoom NiteWhite 22% Whitening Gel. ...
  • Crest 3D Whitestrips.

What is the shelf life of Opalescence gel? ›

The shelf life of Opalescence gel is 1 year unrefrigerated and 2 years refrigerated. Precautions: Brush and floss teeth prior to whitening for maximum effectiveness. Keep product away from children.

How do you tell if teeth whitening is expired? ›

When you open it, pay attention to the consistency of the gel. If it appears foggy or white, it is too old. It likely is still safe to use. But, it may not be as effective and deliver results that are noticeable.

Does baking soda whiten teeth? ›

Baking soda can be used with some water to remove the stains on the surface of the teeth. It can also be used with hydrogen peroxide to enhance its whitening effects. Baking soda can be used by individuals with regular toothpastes too. It is also used commercially in some teeth whitening products and toothpastes.

What is the best tooth whitening product? ›

The Best Teeth Whitening Kits, According to Dentists
  • OpalescenceGo Prefilled Teeth Whitening Trays, Set of 10. ...
  • Burst Prefilled Whitening Trays, Set of 3. ...
  • PhilipsZoom NiteWhite Kit, Set of 3. ...
  • Dr. ...
  • Colgate Optic White ComfortFit Teeth Whitening Kit. ...
  • Auraglow Teeth Whitening Kit. ...
  • Crest3D Whitestrips, Pack of 22.
Sep 20, 2023

Can I use expired whitening cream? ›

Ingredients do break down over time and chemicals could become altered, so those with particularly sensitive skin might develop a rash simply due to the change in chemical composition. You may also notice an off smell in skincare products that are past their expiration date — in that case, you should stop using them.

What happens if you don't refrigerate teeth whitening gel? ›

The downside of this chemical instability is that all whitening gels start degenerating immediately after manufacture if not kept under constant refrigeration. The higher the temperature, the greater the degradation process.

Does bite whitening gel expire? ›

Q: What is the shelf life of the whitening gel? A: 1 year, however after it's opened it needs to be used within 14 days, as after that it will start losing its whitening effectiveness.

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