Downsview Dental Care In-House Versus Take-Home Teeth Whitening | Page 14

During the in-office teeth whitening session, the dentist will begin by cleaning
and polishing the teeth to remove any traces of plaque. The dentist then
places a gauze and barrier in your mouth that will isolate the teeth and also
protect the rest of the mouth from the bleaching gel. The whitening agent is
then applied only on the outer surface of the teeth (part of the teeth that is
seen when one smiles).
In-office whitening procedures use a bleaching gel that is way stronger than
what you get in a take-home whitening kit. The strength of this bleaching
agent helps it work faster on teeth and in the shortest time possible.
However, this bleaching agent is also very corrosive and will damage the
gums if left to sit for long. Fortunately, an in-office whitening session only
takes 30 to 60 minutes which is a safe window for the bleaching gel to work
without causing harm.