Teeth Whitening Instructions

The instructions on this page are for patients who are using our at home teeth whitening kit.

Please read the following instructions carefully. 

We are planning to whiten your teeth using carbamide peroxide solution (a form of hydrogen peroxide).  The active ingredient is carbamide peroxide in a glycerine base. If you know of any allergy or are aware of an adverse reaction to this ingredient, please do not proceed with this treatment.  

As with any treatment, there are benefits and risks. The benefit is that the teeth can be whitened fairly quickly in a simple manner. The risk involves the continued use of the peroxide solution for an extended period of time i.e. a number of years. Research suggests that using peroxide to bleach teeth is safe.  

The amount of whitening treatment varies with the individual; most patients achieve a change within 2 – 5 weeks. 

1. Place a small amount of whitening gel into every compartment of the tray for the teeth undergoing treatment.

Take care to use enough gel to cover the tooth only and try to avoid the gel spreading onto the gum.

Alternatively, you can place a thin line of whitening gel into the centre of your tray, starting at one end of the tray and continuing onto the other side. 

2. Seat the tray with the gel onto your upper jaw and fit the lower moulded tray including gel onto your lower jaw. Try not to get any gel on your gum as this may cause sensitivity. 

3. Wipe away excess gel in mouth with a tissue. 

4. Leave the trays in place for a minimum of 2 hours.  

5. Rinse out your mouth and trays thoroughly after use.

• Do not eat, drink or smoke while the trays are on.  
• It is advisable not to smoke during the course of whitening treatment and for at least 5-8 weeks afterwards.  
• Try to reduce the amount of tea, coffee, red wine or curries during and after treatment for at least 1 month. Foods containing strong colours should be avoided for at least 48 hours after the treatment period. 
• Use gel at room temperature. 
• Wear the trays for a minimum of two hours per day or overnight if possible.  
• A single course of whitening treatment should last between 3-5 weeks. 

• Do not use the bleaching treatment if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. There are no adverse reactions, but long-term clinical effects are unknown.  
• Some teeth do not bleach evenly, particularly around gum recession on the lower premolar teeth. The enamel bleaches well but the exposed dentine does not bleach as well. 
• When the treatment is completed, please keep the trays so that they can be used for a top-up maintenance treatment. It may be necessary to do a top-up treatment in 18-24 months' time depending on the amount of staining. 

Sensitivity of teeth is the most common side effect of whitening treatment. This usually occurs around the necks of the teeth. Patients can experience some degree of sensitivity which ranges from mild awareness to a throb on a specific tooth. 

• You can use desensitizing toothpaste such as Sensodyne. Brushing with Sensodyne alone may help alleviate the sensitivity or you can rub a small amount of toothpaste onto the sensitive area.  
• Alternatively, you can stop the whitening treatment for 24 hours and use Sensodyne toothpaste in the bleaching trays instead of the whitening gel. Leave in place for a minimum of 2 hours and continue whitening the following day. 
• Do not stop for more than two days otherwise, the effect of the whitening will slow down.

The gel needs to be stored out of direct sunlight, in a cool environment. It is advisable to store your gel in the refrigerator.

If you experience extreme sensitivity or any adverse side effects, please contact the clinic immediately.

The teeth whitening trays are only to be used for teeth whitening purposes.  

They are NOT to be used instead of your removable orthodontic retainer, if you normally wear one.