How to apply dental whitening bleach to your bleaching tray

[mpk920]

I learned more from your videos and posts than I did in my dentist's office regarding these trays and their proper use. When i picked up my trays I had to request instruction re: bleach application/wear time, etc. I subsequently was given a two minute briefing which DID NOT cover all that is in your videos. Thank you for taking the time to make them.

[dentalcool]

@mpk920 Thank you for the nice compliment. This video is a bit dated now, but the principles are still the same. My more recent videos give you more detail. glad to be of help!

[KaniacMonster]

This was very helpful! I was going to whiten tonight but then I realized I didn't know how to actually put the bleach in the tray!! This is great! However, this brought up a new question. I'm 19 and my dentist gave me 13%. The directions say to wear 20-30 minutes two times a day for 7-10 days, but could I just do an hour once a day? Would it work the same? Thanks!

[dentalcool]

@KaniacMonster Yes....once a day is fine, or over night while you sleep. Good luck with your results!

[mostdopeJordan]

can I use my mouthguard instead??

[dentalcool]

@mostdopeJordan Depends on a couple things. Is it a sports mouth guard, or a night guard for grinding teeth? You can use those, but watch for irregular (spotty) bleaching, especially if the guard is store bought.

If they are made in a dental office, and fit well, then I would say "yes". You can give it a try and monitor it in a week or so. If you are buying the bleach from a dentist, you could have him/her take a quick look.

[foxygypsy]

wonderful video!

just a quick question for you - how long does it take to make the bleach trays?

[dentalcool]

@foxygypsy I appreciate your kind words. Talking about from the time a patient first walks in until delivery, it will depend on how busy the dental office is. Usually I ask a week (5 working days), if I am busy. If I am not busy, it can be done in 36 hours. Once the initial impression is taken, and liquid stone is poured in, I like the stone cast to sit for one full day to insure thorough hardness, The model is then trimmed and placed in the molding machine. The tray is trimmed and fitted.

[dentalcool]

@dentalcool You may want to refer to the three part video I have at the top of my page to see some of the details of how these are made.

[lulita2830]

What a good dentist :D..how much do they cost???

[dentalcool]

@lulita2830 Thank you for the nice compliment. Prices vary so much, it would be hard to get you close to an exact cost. My guess for top (maxillary) and bottom (mandibular) together would range from $300-$700. (American dollars). I include a few months of bleach syringes with the initial delievery. Most of the cost for this is indeed up front. But in the long run, it will even out and the whitened teeth will last for a very long time with minimum maintenence.

[lulita2830]

@dentalcool ..thanks...I bought them from my dentist for $200..I have 4 days using it but I dont see my teeth that white...Are they going to be whiter in two weeks?????thats what my dentist told me :/

[dentalcool]

@lulita2830 You had a very good price. Upper and lower, I assume. You didn't mention the strength of the bleach, or how many syringes of bleach he initially gave you.

Depending on your age, type of darkness you have, habits, etc, Two weeks is a safe number. This is a reason I usually start the upper teeth a week in advance, so you can see some changes. Both together at the beginning is tough..it is like watching the grass grow...the changes are so little and minor. Look to the long run

[lulita2830]

@dentalcool He gave me 4 syrens of bleach..and Im 17..Is that right?? It say=22% carbamide peroxide gel...

[dentalcool]

@lulita2830 Four syringes sounds about right. At age 17, the bleach should go a bit faster depending on the stain, so don't be afraid to skip a day if they get sensitive to cold drinks. Good luck!

[lulita2830]

@dentalcool Thanks for the replies:D....thank you so much for your comments :D

[NeosMusicUnlimited]

Should i use whitening bleach first before filling treatment?

[dentalcool]

@NeosMusicUnlimited Yes, whiten your teeth to the desired shade before putting money into future restorations, especially those that are porcelain based.

[NeosMusicUnlimited]

@dentalcool Thanks but i have 1 more question, for example, after i whiten my teeth and my teeth perfect white and how long does this remain(if i brush my teeth after i eat something-everytime)

[dentalcool]

@NeosMusicUnlimited It will remain (forever?)...if you simply do maintenence. If you are going to put that kind of money into crowns, veneers, etc, to maintain your "whiteness", you will have to use the bleach sparingly as time goes on. This type of bleach will slowly penetrate and whiten the enamel. It will taken even a longer time for the bleach to exit the enamel, so simple maintence will keep them white. I am doing my own once every other week now.

[xxdinaliciousxx]

thanks for the reply doctor. my dentist told me i should wear them for at least 6 hours everynight till i get the good result, yet am wondering if is enough to wear them for two to three hours? its 15% gel, shouldnt that be worn for a longer time? can i take any medicine that can make this pain less?? is it gonna harm my gums if they get in touch? i experienced some pain in ma gums while brushing my teeth. is that dangerous?? thanks again for ur time doc, i appericiate ur answer :)

[dentalcool]

@xxdinaliciousxx Two to three hours is enough if you are getting sensitivity. Buy any toothpaste that will help the sensitivity. Use it everyday and occasionally skip a day of bleaching. If you are consistant, it will still work. Trying to go too fast will create the discomfort you have. The younger you are the more chance of discomfort as the bleach can penetrate the enamel quicker. You also need to use a SOFT brush when brushing. Hope that helps a bit.

[xxdinaliciousxx]

hi. am using the opalescence whitening gel at home with trays made from my dentist. i wanted to ask u about if using it could be harming my gums??? i have very sensitive teeth and my dentist said i would wear them while am sleeping but what happens is that i sort of get an electronic shock after a while in my teeth. i asked my dentist if is ok to feel so much pain and she said is fine. just use fluor gel or toothpaste. what do u recommend for me to do?? am getting married soon plzz help me.thnx

[dentalcool]

@xxdinaliciousxx I will assume you cannot delay your wedding, so you may have to bear through some discomfort...but let me suggest a couple things. First, make sure you do not put too much gel in the trays...it is tempting to think more is better. You need just enough to cover the front surface of the teeth you wish to bleach. If wearing the trays at night hurts, then make an effort to wear them sometime during the day.  Night, or day makes no difference...just a minimum of one to two hours.

[gazred8]

Hi dentacool. Should the mouth tray be very tight to the teeth while the bleach is on?

Mines is very loose, and I am really using my jaw and fingers to keep the trays from falling or becoming loose. Should I maybe give it longer in boiling water to create a better formation round my teeth? How long do you recommend in water?

Thanks

[stevem4545]

I have custom trays made, but the bottom one allows some saliva to surround the teeth and mix with the bleach. will this significantly dilute the solution and reduce my results? I'm not sure how to stop the saliva from getting in. I have only done 3 days of treatment but I'm wondering if this is slowing my process? Thanks in advance.

[dentalcool]

@stevem4545 Good question. The saliva may dilute the bleach a bit, but the bleach is initially a thicker gel and should resist too much dilution just by its own thinker properties. If you are getting too much saliva, your bleaching will take longer, but should still work.

[dentalcool]

@stevem4545 ...to continue... It is another reason I have had more success having the trays trimmed a bit longer. What little saliva gets in, can't work its way all the way up from the bottom of the tray.

Extra saliva can be spit out, and of course, refrain from drinking. Sometimes the smell of food can create salivation, but on the other hand, excercising could reduce the saliva flow. (BTW, should be "thicker properties" in the above reply). Good luck!

[Vannzzy]

Can you wear them in the shower?

[dentalcool]

@Vannzzy Yes, you can. As long as the bleach in the tray stays intact with the teeth, you will be ok. If you get water in the mouth and the trays "lif" away from the teeth, you will have to start over. May be best to shower first and then apply the bleach.

This is another good reason to not drink fluids after inserting the tray. If you have to have water or fluid during the bleaching, then use a straw, but only if you need liquid intake.

Good question!

[caz131]

Very good demonstration, just got my trays and wasn't sure exactly how much bleech to put in or where to put it in the tray...i will get back to you with my result !!

[dentalcool]

@caz131 What a very nice comment. Very much appreciated. This is actually the short version...some longer more detailed ones are on my site....thank you again!

[DavidFKturbo]

wery good demo , thanks!

[codykonior]

Thanks for making this. It sounds silly but when the dentist says, "Put a small amount in," it's not really clear until you actually see it done! Luckily, I've been getting it right :)

[ACRivera]

Well explained.

[tatnrf001]

injust finished my 2nd treatment ofvcolgate visable white. i put the bleaching at the bottom as instructed by my dentist. im noticing that only half my teeth is now becoming white lol. gonna start doing it like this now. starting to look a lil weird but should even out after a few more doing it this way. thanks doc!

[actionsspeaklouder6]

Thanks! Very very helpful!

[EdProduct]

i just got these how long does it take t work

[dentalcool]

@EdProduct I checked your profile and at age 18, you should see results in just over one week. If you have heavy stains due to coffee or smoking, it could take longer. You could also benefit by trying to keep them in longer than one hour. Cut back on foods and drinks that may stain. Good Luck!

[ArinLudington]

Is it safe to swallow the bleach when sleeping?

[dentalcool]

@ArinLudington Assuming you do not overload your bleach tray and a small amount gets out, you should be ok. You may want to wait about 5 min. before laying down to make sure you cleared the excess out. If you are constantly having excess, then you need to cut back on the amount of gel you are putting in.

You may want to see my other more detailed videos. Thanks for a good question and good luck!

[maverick9900]

Is this the same amount of gel I should use for my deep bleaching treatment?

[dentalcool]

@maverick9900 Yes....should be the same.

[dentalcool]

I am working on a two part update to this video and hope to have them posted before the end of April '10. I will try to go into more detail about each step. So tune back in late April.  Thank you.

[westoaux]

hey dentalcool thanks for this video.... can you make an opalescence instructional video? i just bought the system through my dentist and i also got the custom tray

[dentalcool]

@westoaux I can look into that, although I do not use that product. I am a bit surprised they sold the system to you without giving you instructions, or a quick "how to use it". Have you asked your office for advice?

[westoaux]

@dentalcool they did give me instructions. come to think of it this video is just the info i needed, where to apply the gel on the custom tray. Im just a bit worried doing it myself, thats all it is

[dentalcool]

In my office the patient applies the bleach while I watch and guide them, I then refer them to this video as a back-up refresher.

If you are worried and don't want to go back to your office to demo in front of them, then I suggest you start with a small amount first. Almost all bleaching systems nowadays are considered safe. Apply just a little and work your way up to applying more. Once you get the hang of it, applying will go fast and easy. Be brave! Take a deep breath and go for it.

[mcCartney911]

oh ThnxX DenTalCool....

best wishes ^_^

[mcCartney911]

where Can I get teeth Tray ?

Any help please...

ThnxX 4 The Vid ^_^

[dentalcool]

The tray you see in the video and overall the best fitting trays should come from your dental office. The doctor, hygienist, or dental assistant (under direct supervision of the dentist) can take an impression that duplicates your teeth and surrounding gum area. The tray can be fabricated from that. The ones you buy in the store and mold yourself may not uniformly fit or be ill-fitting enough to not distribute the bleach properly. You can call various offices to ask a general price.

[BustedJohn]

Thank you for this video, it really helped me getting the bleach into the tray, before it was always touching my gums and causing irritation. I do have a question however, I spoke to my dentist after doing it 3 times and she told me to stop using the bleach until my next 6 month check up even though my teeth haven't whitened properly and the colour is uneven. Is there a medical reason why she would say this or do you think it's safe to do more treatments until I get the desired tooth colour?

[dentalcool]

You may want to ask that exact same question to your dentist. Did you tell her about the irritation? Maybe that is why she wants you to stop. My suggestion would be to stop by her office before your 6 month check up and find out why she wants you to stop. Bring the bleach and the trays with you. Keep me informed.

[dentalcool]

Hard to believe I did this video over three years ago. I hope to someday this year do an update to this. Thanks for your support and nice comments...very much appreciated!

[DarrellPeel]

Update. I'm picking my trays up on Wednesday upper and lower trays. Although I'm not sure what the percentage of the bleach will be he hasn't told me yet. I have a question though. I'm having my teeth whitened first via trays then after that Bonding on the front 4 teeth to close gaps. My question is will i be able to use the upper trays in the future after the bonding has been done. I know it will change the shape of my teeth and i would assume the tray will not fit so accurate anymore? Thanks

[dentalcool]

Nice to hear from you and good luck with your bleaching effort. It is indeed wise to use the bleach before your bonding. As to whether they will fit, alot depends on the amount of space being filled. If your tray fills the current gaps, then, no, it won't fit once the gaps are filled in with bonding. Be sure to bring your trays to the appointment and ask the dentist to place the trays (BOTH) once the bonding is finished. Let the dentist place them in for you. Good luck!

[DarrellPeel]

Thank you very much.

[DarrellPeel]

Thanks doc, exactly what i was searching for.

[latoya2376]

This has been the most informative whitening video on youtube. I like that the trays are not trimmed. It looks like it would provide a much better fit. My dentist had my tray trimmed and I HATE it!!

[steve998]

Thank you for a very informative video. It helped me a great deal. My periodondist fitted my tray and gave me 6% gel. I was pleased with the fit of the tray, but she did not really show me how to apply the bleach. So thank you for this. :)

[silverhost]

i whitened my teeth and some of my gum lines turned white. will this happen everytime? and your videos are very informative, could you make one about trimming trays?

[dentalcool]

Trays are trimmed by the dental staff. They can be trimmed like the one you see here, or closer to the teeth. I prefer this style as it holds to the mouth better and gives more room for the bleaching gel. No matter what way the tray is trimmed, you need to be careful to not put too much bleach in the tray. One of the biggest problems is patients putting too much in....more is NOT better.

If you feel the tray is not trimmed right or is hurting....then your dental office can trim it a bit.

[kelsterMcNelster]

You seem to be a nice dentist where do you practice, I am looking for a job.

[dentalcool]

Thank you for the nice compliment.....I am in the San Fernando Valley (in Los Angeles county).  Although I fimed this almost a couple years ago while visiting my sister in Arizona.

[Br00k3B]

ok thanks for the help.

[Br00k3B]

hey i was wondering if you know where i can get something like this for teen because im 13 and i used crest whitestrips and those didnt work the best?

[dentalcool]

Ask your dentist. I know that sounds like a cop out, but your dentist can determine not only the best treatment, but what percentage would be good for you at age 13. The younger you are the faster the bleach penetrates the enamal, so as a young teen you have to be EXTRA careful if you use bleaching gel.

[clikits123]

hello doctor what website can i get the one in the video from

and i am 16 so maybe can you look around for me for any think that will be g00d as the bleach stuff in your video

thanks

[clikits123]

hello doctor what website can i get this from and will it be as g00d or just a waste for money

[mahsak09]

hi doctor!

thnx for posting these great instructions:)

actually i'm 17-and a half ,and next week i'm gonna do whitening teeth,so is that ok if i do it at this age?

and if i brace my teeth before removing my wisdom teeth,....wt would u suggest?

thnx

[dentalcool]

Thank you for the

nice comments.

Although 17 and a half is pretty young for whitening, if you feel you

need to, you can. (I am guessing without seeing the shade of your

teeth). Just be aware that your teeth may become SENSITIVE to cold.

Since bleaching teeth works much faster at a younger age, you would

be best to do it only two or three times a week. Too much too quick

and you have to stop for a few days due to sensitivity. Don't be in

too much of a rush with it.

[dentalcool]

As to your second question, most people have their wisdom teeth removed before braces. It makes

it sooooo much easier later in life. It depends on how bad your

teeth are spaced (again, I can't tell over an email). Sometimes they

take out a tooth more in the middle and let the wisdom teeth move in. It will be up to your dentist as which is best, but if your teeth

are crowded they usually take out some teeth to make room. Wisdom

teeth would be best.

Keep me informed.

[dianemoongoddess]

I have trays made by my dentist but me teeth have shifted some and not they don't fit properly. Is there a way to heat them up and reconfigure them to my bite? I know you can do this with the ready made trays but was afraid to try with the professionally made ones without knowing.

[dentalcool]

Yes, teeth do shift daily, but your bite and adjacent teeth keep them in check. If you are missing teeth there may be more shifting of your teeth. Also, if you have a semi-rigid, or hard tray, even small movements may hurt your teeth when placing the guard back on.

Unfortunately you shouldn't reheat a custom made tray. I would suggest calling your dentist and asking, or possibly having a new one made. It should be less expensive if they already have the previous models. Hope that helps

[ronago]

Dentalcool, thanks a lot for posting this great video. I have a question, i just started this in-house treatment 2 days ago using the 22% carbamide peroxide gel with a customized tray from dentist, i apply it during the nightime. Assuming it's a 'long term' treatment, on how many days one can expect to see any real change to your teeth? Thanks

[dentalcool]

Hi....thanks for the nice comment. As to how long it takes, that would depend on many factors such as age, stain, depth of stain, and sensitivity. For a "general" average I would say one hour a day of bleaching would take about three to four weeks, age 40 and up, or a bit less if you wear the bleach tray longer than an hour or overnight. It may be quicker if you are under 40 and have less stain or bleach during your sleep.

You may have to skip a few days if your teeth get sensitive.

[ronago]

Thank you very much for your detailed response. I'll definitely recommend your video to my friends.

Thanks again!

[JeOmaisEng]

Do these trays bleach up to the molars? like all of the teeth behind in your mouth?

[dentalcool]

Yes, you can apply the bleach as far back as you wish. It is usually best to look in the mirror and show a big smile, or laugh. If you show those molars, then yes, if not, then you are wasting the bleach.

[JeOmaisEng]

Hmm yeah I think it's important to bleach that far behind. It would look weird to me if I saw someone laughing wide open revealing the molars in a different shade than the other teeth. anyways I want to have these made at my dentist, what's the average price to get these made for your upper and lower jaw? And does it take long for the dentist to make those? thanks alot in advance!

[dentalcool]

The cost varies too much to give you an estimate here, especially if you are in another country than the US. Drop me a note in my box and I can try my best to answer you.

[Onijoji]

Great instructions - far better than what I received at my dentist's office! Thanks!

[idiesel001]

very helpful .THANKS !!!

[msamandarebecca]

Wow, this is so very informative, and incredibly helpful. Thank you very much.

[fastfoodislife]

thanks a lot this really great and helpful, very informative.

[fabianfruehstueck]

very good! thank you!

[OMEGA919]

I'm bookmarking this video. I'm planning on bleaching my teeth with this method (I still have a couple months left in braces, so it's not imminent or anything), and this video is very helpful and informative. Thanks!

[gsagg]

Very nice and instructive. Thanks!

[terdoz555]

I just bought a tray and this is very helpful. Thank you :)

[dentalcool]

Glad this helps...It was done on the spur of the moment, so I know it isn't very professionally produced, but it conveys the general idea of application.

[MIS315]

hi, i bought the 36% Carbamide Peroxide Teeth Bleach gel syringe, and the directions said to put the mouth trays in boiled water for 5 secs, but when i applied them to my teeth afterward, they didnt mold to my teeth's shape--should i leave them in hot water for longer or bite harder??

[dentalcool]

I am not a big fan of the "mold yourself" trays. You have to be just about perfect to mold them around your teeth at an even thickness and avoid air bubbles..especially difficult in the back areas if you want to go that far back.

However, in your situation, yes, you may need to hold it in the water longer, or it may take several tries. When you pull the molding out of your mouth, look for even surfaces..(warning, be careful of burning your mouth from all these try-ins).

[dentalcool]

Another suggestion would be to find a dentist that will take the moldings only for you. They will be more accurate and last a very long time.

I also suggest cleaning your bleach tray with a soft brush and occasionally soaking them in denture cleansing solutions which you can buy at any drug store.