What is the method for home bleaching ?

Carbamide Peroxide is the technical term, but we will use 'bleach' for ease in these instructions;

a) Daytime Method

1. Clean your teeth and floss. This opens more tooth surface up to the bleach

2.Place bleaching gel inside the bleaching trays. You don't need to use very much, just enough to cover the front surfaces of the teeth. ½ a tube should be enough for top and bottom trays.

3. Insert the bleaching trays into your mouth and gently press into place. Check in a mirror that the gel has spread over all the front surfaces of your teeth.

4. If any excess bleaching gel comes out from the trays, wipe it away with a tissue.

5. The bleaching usually causes some foaming, which you may spit out.

6.It is desirable to avoid swallowing excess bleach, although the bleach is not harmful. Do not be concerned if you do swallow a small amount.

2 hours is the recommended minimum time period to have the bleach in contact with your teeth. This may be increased up to 6 hours if it is convenient. You may add more bleach during this period with no ill effects.

b) Overnight Method

1. Clean your teeth and floss.

2. Squirt bleaching gel into the tray. Use just enough to make sure all the front surfaces of the teeth are covered. You can check this in the mirror.

3. Wipe off any excess bleach from the gums with a tissue.

4. Wear the bleaching trays overnight.

5. Remove trays in the morning and brush away any excess of the sticky bleaching gel.

6. Gently clean the bleaching tray with cold water and a toothbrush. The bleaching agent is anti-bacterial (due to its oxygen releasing action) and is used to kill the bacteria which cause gum disease.