COSMETIC

Post Treatment Instructions: 

- Start the whitening process by brushing you teeth. Rinse well. Place a dot of bleaching gel in the front portion of the custom fitted tray and spread the gel with the syringe tip. Place the trays on your teeth and gently press the tray to move the gel into place. Wipe away any excess gel on the gum tissue with your finger or tissue and spit out any excess. Wear the trays for 1-2 hours or overnight, depending on the bleach. Remove the trays. Wipe the gel out with tissue and use a toothbrush with water (no paste) to clean the trays thoroughly.  [TAKE-HOME WHITENING]

- Every individual whitens at a different rate, but the average time that most people notice a color change is wearing the trays daily for 2-3 weeks. Yellow and brown stains bleach faster than blue or grey stained (tetracycline-stained) teeth. [TAKE-HOME WHITENING]

- Sensitivity is one of the most common side effects from bleaching. After the whitening process, it is commons to experience sensitive teeth. It is also commons to experience little "zings" in the teeth during the process and even a day or two afterwards.  To help in preventing or temporarily reducing sensitivity, you may choose to use a toothpaste for "sensitive teeth" which usually takes 4-6 weeks for a noticeable change. [IN-OFFICE WHITENING & TAKE-HOME WHITENING]

- Patient with periodontal disease or with excessive root surface exposure may notice significant sensitivity. Use a "sensitive teeth" toothpaste and nighttime fluoride rinse to help desensitize your teeth prior to bleaching.  [IN-OFFICE & TAKE-HOME WHITENING]

- It is common to see white areas on the gum tissue or teeth after removing the trays from your mouth. Do not panic as it will disappear usually within the hour. Try to remove as much excess gel from the gum tissue to prevent this from occurring on your gum tissue. [IN-OFFICE & TAKE-HOME WHITENING]

- The canine teeth are usually the darkest teeth and will require more time to whiten. Teeth are naturally darker near the gumline due to the thinness of the enamel. It may take more time to lighten these areas and will usually remain slightly darker than the rest of the tooth. If some teeth are lighter than others you can "catch up" by placing gels in the tray to the corresponding darker teeth. [TAKE-HOME WHITENING]

- Coffee, tea, tobacco, dark soda, red wine, cherries, blueberries, tomato sauce, and other very staining foods can all discolor teeth and should be avoided during the entire whitening process and up to 2 days after. Anything that will stain a white shirt may stain your teeth. [IN-OFFICE & TAKE-HOME WHITENING]

- Surface stains on filling may lighten during the whitening process, however, the filling itself, as well as crowns will not whiten. Fillings and crowns may need to be replaced if you are not satisfied with a color match. [IN-OFFICE & TAKE-HOME WHITENING]

- You can increase the shelf life of the gel by storing it in the refrigerator. Take the gel out 1 hours before whitening or place the tube of gel in warm water prior to loading your trays to get the gel to room temperature. [TAKE-HOME WHITENING]

**DO NOT whiten your teeth if pregnant or breastfeeding**