How to Use Dental Bleachers

Dental bleachers, or bleaching trays, are custom-made to fit the shape of your mouth. Dentists are able to make bleaching trays after taking a mold of your teeth. When bleaching peroxide is applied to the inside of the tray -- and the trays are inserted into your mouth, the bleach is absorbed into the teeth, giving you a whiter smile. Depending on the recommendation of your dentist, bleaching trays can be worn for as little as half an hour or while you sleep. The longer you wear the trays, the better the results, but keep in mind that bleaching may cause tooth sensitivity.

Things You'll Need

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Floss
• Towel
• Tissue

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Instructions

• 1

  Brush and floss your teeth. The bleaching process works best on clean teeth.

• 2

  Dry the bleaching trays completely. Any moisture inside the tray will dilute the bleaching peroxide and slow down the whitening process.

• 3

  Apply a small drop of bleaching gel to the inside of each tooth depression in the tray. The gel should spread across the front of your tooth, not the back.

• 4

  Place bleaching trays inside your mouth, so they sit comfortably against your teeth. Wipe any excess gel away using your finger or a tissue. If gel gets on your gums, it may cause some irritation.

• 5

  Wear the trays for as long as your dentist recommends. If this is your first time whitening, consider only wearing the trays for half an hour, to an hour. Do not eat or drink while the bleaching trays are in your mouth.

• 6

  Remove the trays from your mouth. Brush your teeth and the trays with toothpaste.