Home whitening using 15-20% Bleach

Bleaching is a progressive process.  The more often you bleach, the faster your teeth will change color.

Your teeth are more susceptible to staining for 30 minutes to 1 hour after bleaching and longer for power bleaching.  Avoid all tobacco products, coffee, tea, cola’s, grape juice, strawberries, blueberries, and any other staining foods or beverages.

Day Bleaching

1) Place a single drop of bleaching into the front surface of each tooth indention of your bleaching trays.  (Upper and lower can be worn together.)

2) Place in the mouth, expectorate the excess.  (Some bubbling may occur around the gums.  This is normal.)

3) Leave in place for 30-60 minutes.

4) Remove tray, rinse thoroughly and repeat 2 more times for a total of 1 & 1/2 hours to 3 hours of bleaching a day.

5) After final treatment, rinse trays and store dry until next treatment.

6) Repeat this process daily for 2-3 weeks and then return to the office for an evaluation.

Overnight Use

1) Place a single drop of bleaching into the front surface of each tooth indention of your bleaching trays.  (Upper and lower can be worn together.)

2) Place in the mouth, expectorate the excess.  (Some bubbling may occur around the gums.  This is normal.)

3) Leave trays in mouth overnight.

4) Remove tray, rinse thoroughly and store dry until next treatment.

Touch up Bleaching

1) Whitening will decrease slightly over time.  After every cleaning, to keep your teeth white, please repeat your procedure of choice for 2-4 days.

2) Keep your excess bleach in the refrigerator to expand its life.  Also store your trays in a clean dry place.  The trays can be reused.

3) When you need more bleach, please call the office.

Bleaching Sensitivity

1) If your teeth or gums become too sensitive:    STOP BLEACHING!

2) Try to bleach every other day, or skip 2 days between bleaching.  If the sensitivity persists, call our office.

3) To keep sensitivity to a minimum, it is advisable to use toothpaste for sensitive teeth or prescription strength fluoride during the bleaching process. Sometimes using a prescription strength fluoride gel once a day for 5 minutes in your tray will help sensitivity. Call us for a prescription or we usually sell tubes of the gel in the office.

4) If you have sensitivity, your bleach may be too strong.  If you have the 15% or 20% bleach, you may need to switch to a 10% solution.

5) Some patients are too sensitive to use bleaching products.  You may have to stop bleaching and consider other esthetic options, or try an in office bleach.