Post Op Instrucitons
Home Care Instructions for Home Whitening
The best results are achieved after a professional cleaning has been done to remove the surface stains on the teeth. This allows the whitening gel to change the internal shade of the teeth and the results can be clearly seen.
We recommend brushing and flossing your teeth, then placing a "B.B." size drop of gel in each tooth compartment in the tray and wearing the tray for 2-3 hours (most patients find the evenings before bed to be the best time).
Do
- Avoid consumption of coffee, tea, red wine, colored soda and tobacco because these substances may re-stain the teeth.
- Brush 2-3 times a day with a soft bristled toothbrush and floss 2 times a day.
- Store the whitening gel in a cool, dry place (a refrigerator) for later use once the whitening process is complete. Do not freeze.
Don't
- Use if you are pregnant or lactating
- Use any household or other whitening products to whiten your teeth.
- Overload whitening trays with gel since gum irritation may occur.
- Eat, drink or smoke while wearing your custom trays.
What if my teeth hurt?
Some patients experience increased tooth sensitivity to cold during the treatment. Others may have increased sensation in their teeth, gums, tongue or lips. If any of these occur and are more than mild, discontinue use. The symptoms should subside within 1-3 days after stopping treatment.
When the sensitivity is gone, consider the following options. If the problem is gum irritation, either your whitening trays are putting excess pressure on your gums or you are using too much gel in the trays. Place your trays on your teeth, if they are pressing excessively on the gums please contact the office to have them trimmed. If the problem is sensitivity of the teeth, try whitening every other evening or every third evening. If the sensitivity persists, ask the office for the Relief gel.
Finishing the treatment
When the desired color has been achieved you may discontinue use. Your teeth will be slightly whiter than they will remain. The final color will be achieved about two weeks after finishing the whitening process.
If you notice that you are developing some relapse towards the original shade (which tends to happen at approximately 4-6 months after treatment) you can do some touch-up whitening for an evening or two.
