Bleaching Instructions

The most effective and stable way of bleaching your teeth is through the use of professional gels at home. It is important to follow the instructions below to attain the best results possible.

Our dentists will have provided you with a custom-moulded tray, a few capsules of bleaching gel and some desensitising mousse. Here are some instructions on how to use them:

  • Brush and floss your teeth: this help remove any remaining food and plaque that may prevent the gel from reaching the teeth.
  • Apply bleaching gel: the gel should be placed on the inside of the tray on the front surface of the tray. This is the surface that would contact the front of your teeth. Only a small drop is needed for the bleaching to occur effectively.
  • Wipe off excess: if there is any excess gel that has extruded onto the gums, use your finger or a cotton bud to wipe it off.
  • Place the trays in your mouth: for an hour.
  • Remove the trays, rinse: Removing the trays and rinsing them thoroughly will help them last longer for future use. It is also important to rinse your mouth out to remove any remaining bleach.
  • Apply desensitising mousse: a pea size amount of Tooth Mousse on a cotton bud or your finger can help apply the mousse to all the bleached teeth. This will help minimize sensitivity.
  • Do not consume drinks or food, or smoke, for at least 30 minutes after removing the bleaching trays: your teeth are more susceptible to staining immediately after bleaching. Therefore smoking and the consumption of tea, coffee and wine may result in further discoloration.
  • Repeat daily until desired shade is achieved.
  • Using sensitive toothpaste: any of the commercial brands available at pharmacies and local supermarkets are effective in reducing sensitivity. They can take up to 5 days to take effect.
  • Consistent use of desensitising mousse: we provide you with Tooth Mousse as part of our bleaching kits, which is extremely effective at reducing sensitivity. It should be applied regularly after bleaching over all the sensitive surfaces, and left without rinsing overnight. It can also be used after normal brushing.
  • Alternating days of bleaching: bleaching is a cumulative effect and can be performed every second day rather than every day. This reduces the sensitising effect of the bleaching gels, and also allows the desensitising toothpastes and mousse to work more effectively.
  • Don’t try to bleach your teeth too fast! The best and longest lasting results come from shorter bleaching sessions over a long period of time. This can be up to 6 weeks. Stick with the recommended bleaching times above and your whiter smile will stay whiter for longer.
  • Necks of teeth may take longer: The neck of the tooth is naturally a darker yellow than the crown. This means that bleach may require additional time to work. Do not be dissuaded if some additional time is needed to whiten up to the necks.
  • Leftover bleach: can be used again if you need a top up application. Bleaching gel has a shelf life of 1 year, but it can be extended to 2 years if the gel is kept refrigerated.
  • Don’t throw away your bleaching tray: Your new white teeth can last up to 1-3 years. However, it is normal for the yellowness to slowly return. We can provide you with additional capsules of bleaching gel to use with your existing mouth tray. Generally, the re-bleaching process does not take as long as the first application.
  • Any other questions? Feel free to ring us on (03) 5331 9285.

Sensitivity

It is extremely common for patients to experience sensitivity while bleaching their teeth. This is a normal part of the process. Sensitivity often subsides once the bleaching process is complete. You can minimize the sensitivity experienced by doing the following:

  • Using sensitive toothpaste: any of the commercial brands available at pharmacies and local supermarkets are effective in reducing sensitivity. They can take up to 5 days to take effect.
  • Consistent use of desensitising mousse: we provide you with Tooth Mousse as part of our bleaching kits, which is extremely effective at reducing sensitivity. It should be applied regularly after bleaching over all the sensitive surfaces, and left without rinsing overnight. It can also be used after normal brushing.
  • Alternating days of bleaching: bleaching is a cumulative effect and can be performed every second day rather than every day. This reduces the sensitising effect of the bleaching gels, and also allows the desensitising toothpastes and mousse to work more effectively.

Tips

  • Don’t try to bleach your teeth too fast! The best and longest lasting results come from shorter bleaching sessions over a long period of time. This can be up to 6 weeks. Stick with the recommended bleaching times above and your whiter smile will stay whiter for longer.
  • Necks of teeth may take longer: The neck of the tooth is naturally a darker yellow than the crown. This means that bleach may require additional time to work. Do not be dissuaded if some additional time is needed to whiten up to the necks.
  • Leftover bleach: can be used again if you need a top up application. Bleaching gel has a shelf life of 1 year, but it can be extended to 2 years if the gel is kept refrigerated.
  • Don’t throw away your bleaching tray: Your new white teeth can last up to 1-3 years. However, it is normal for the yellowness to slowly return. We can provide you with additional capsules of bleaching gel to use with your existing mouth tray. Generally, the re-bleaching process does not take as long as the first application.

Any other questions? Feel free to ring us on (03) 5331 9285.