You have now been provided with your tooth whitening kit. The following information will ensure that you use it correctly to obtain the best results. Please refer to our FAQs - Tooth Whitening.

Instructions for use

You should have been provided with your upper bleaching tray with a box of four syringes of whitening agent. The lower tray and a further four syringes will be provided at your next review appointment in two weeks.

Dispense a small amount of whitening agent into the inside of the tray as instructed by your dentist. Do not overfill as it will only be expelled into your mouth and wasted.

Place the loaded tray over the teeth before retiring in the evening. Ensure that your teeth have been cleaned prior to this. Wear the tray overnight.

In the morning, remove the tray and wash out the contents with warm water, using your toothbrush if necessary. Clean your teeth as normal. Keep the trays safe in the box provided.

Repeat this process every night until you have used up the solution.

Stop the bleaching if you have any concerns and contact your dentist.

Do's & Don'ts

Do:

• keep a log of the number of nights you have worn the trays as you will need to repeat this for the lower arch;
• keep the whitening agent in a cool place.
• stop the process if you have reached the desired level of whitening before the four syringes have been used;
• stop the process if you notice any patches or bands appearing on your teeth.

Don't:

• drink tea, coffee or red wine or eat berries, curries or any other foods with intense colouring during treatment and preferably for up to a month following treatment;
• smoke during treatment;
• bleach your teeth if you are pregnant;

Problems

• Sensitivity: this is common and will pass. You can try bleaching on alternate days or place a densitising toothpaste into the tray and wear for an hour each day.
• Sore gums: slight irritation is normal. If you are experiencing severe discomfort, contact your dentist.
• Swallowing: the whitening agent is harmless but to avoid ingestion do not overfill the trays.
• Patches: These will disappear during the whitening process, however notify your dentist.

FAQs - Tooth Whitening

Below are some frequently asked questions relating to tooth whitening. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

What is Tooth Whitening?

Tooth whitening or dental bleaching is a safe, effective and inexpensive way to whiten and brighten the colour of your teeth. The procedure involves wearing a custom made tray that fits over your teeth into which the special bleaching solution is placed. The tray is usually worn during the night although it can be worn during the day if desired.

What are the benefits of Whitening?

Whitening improves the appearance of your teeth and provides a far more attractive, youthful smile, allowing you to smile with confidence. The biggest advantage is that there is no insult nor damage incurred to the teeth or gums from this procedure.

How long should I wear the trays for?

For convenience, the bleaching trays are usually worn overnight, however, if you prefer they can be worn during the day for three hours. The length of the treatment depends on the amount of lightening that you desire and the original shade of the teeth. Most cases reach an acceptable colour in 10-15 days. However, if your teeth are quite dark or tetracycline stained it can take much longer to reach the desired shade. The amount of bleaching agent supplied in your kit will provide approximately fifteen applications.

What do I do if I have any sensitivity?

Sensitivity of the teeth is the most common side-effect of home whitening. It is not permanent. If you are experiencing sensitivity, try bleaching on alternate days. It may also be beneficial to place a desensitising toothpaste into the bleaching trays for an hour a day, in cases of extreme sensitivity. Speak to your dentist for further information.

What happens if the teeth do not whiten evenly?

If teeth have white spots on them before whitening, these spots will appear whiter during the first few days; however the contrast between the spots and the rest of the tooth will diminish until eventually the spots will not be noticeable. Sometimes a procedure called 'Microabrasion' may remove the spots more permanently. You may notice new white spots occurring on the teeth while you are undertaking the bleaching treatment, immediately after a bleaching session or in the morning if you have been wearing the trays for a whole night. These white spots were already present on the teeth before bleaching. As the teeth become lighter, they become more visible. Do not worry; as the whole tooth becomes lighter these spots will fade.

Some teeth may appear banded with lighter/whiter areas. Again, these bandings are originally present on the tooth. When the tooth is dark, these bandings are not obvious. As the tooth becomes lighter, the lighter parts of the tooth will lighten first, followed by the darker banded area. After a week or so these will not be noticeable any more.

How long does the whitening last?

Normally the new white colour of your teeth keeps quite well. However, the effect is dependent on what has caused the teeth to discolour in the first place. If you drink lots of coffee, red wine or cola drinks, the effect may darken slightly. Some patients do a top-up treatment after 4-5 years; some patients do not need to. Smoking will cause the teeth to darken quicker and a top-up treatment may be required sooner.

Does tooth whitening harm the teeth or gums?

Safety studies have shown that bleaching teeth using the dentist-prescribed home bleaching technique is perfectly safe on the teeth, cheeks, gum and tissue of the mouth. There are problems with the bleaching kits that are purchased over the counter. Although they are in-expensive, they normally contain an acid rinse that can damage the teeth or thin down the enamel of the teeth, which can be extremely harmful.

Will my existing fillings whiten?

Unfortunately no. Existing fillings, crowns, veneers and bridges that are already present on your teeth will not change colour during the bleaching process. They will therefore need to be replaced once bleaching has been completed. If you have heavily restored front teeth, whitening may not be the treatment of choice for you. Your dentist will inform you of alternative treatment options.