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Hydrogen peroxide has been used for many years to bleach teeth. In past years, it was usually
applied only by dentists, who used heat and/or light to accelerate its bleaching action. In recent
years, however, a highly effective technique has been found that allows patients to bleach their
teeth at home - although only when supervised by a dentist.*
The "at home" technique of bleaching teeth does not require heat or light, and it
allows you to monitor your own progress. The amount of color change depends on the length of time
you wear the tray each day and the number of weeks you continue the treatment. The results can be
unpredictable. Although effects may be noticed as early as a few days, many patients report that a
minimum of two weeks is required to see a color change. Peroxide bleaching in custom-fitted trays is
thus the fastest and most painless method known.
The Procedure
- Before bedtime, brush and floss your teeth, in order to clean them before
placement of the tray. Rinse well.
- Place one or two drops of bleaching gel in the tray at each tooth position to be
bleached. Use the gel only in the tray provided by us to fit your teeth.
- Place the tray firmly over your teeth. Spit out excess gel and foam, and wear
loaded tray while sleeping. You can wear the tray during the day. You may want to remove the
tray, wipe it clean, reload it, replace it and wear it for another hour.
Possible Side Effects
- Some patients have reported that teeth become sensitive to cold and biting
pressure for a short time during and after treatments. The discomfort normally does not last for
an extended time. If, however, your teeth continue to be sensitive, stop using the bleaching gel
and call us. You also can wear the tray every other night - bleach one night, and prevident
fluoride in the tray the next night.
- Your gingiva or gum tissue may react to the bleaching gel. If it does, simply
decrease the amount of bleaching gel in the tray, or return to the office so we can trim the
appliance in order to reduce the amount of bleaching gel in contact with your gingiva
tissue.
- If bleaching trays are worn too long during any given day, discomfort in your
jaw joints may occur. This discomfort will go away when the bleaching trays are removed.
*In the past, hydrogen peroxide was considered to be a cosmetic agent only; however, the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration is now considering registering this chemical as a drug to assure its
proper use and dentist supervision.
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