Whitening guide
Using your POLA take-home whitening
Watch the short video, then follow the steps below each day. After the first couple of goes it only takes a few minutes.
- Wear time30 minutesOr two 15-minute sessions
- How oftenOnce a daySame time each day is easiest
- For how longAbout 2 weeksOr until you’re happy with the shade
What’s in your kit
- POLA Day gel syringesKeep them in the fridge between uses, away from heat and sunlight.
- Your custom traysMade to fit your teeth — one upper, one lower.
- A storage caseTrays live in here, never loose in a bag or pocket.
Step by step
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Brush and floss first
Clean teeth let the gel reach your enamel evenly.
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Put a small drop of gel in each tooth space
Squeeze a small drop into the front (cheek) side of each tooth space in the tray — only the teeth you want whitened. You don’t need to fill the tray.
Less is more. Too much gel squeezes out onto your gums and makes them sore.
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Seat the trays and wipe off any extra
Press the trays gently into place. Wipe any gel that comes out onto your gums with a clean finger or a tissue.
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Wear them for 30 minutes
Or split it into two 15-minute sessions if that suits your day better. Don’t eat, drink (except water) or smoke while the trays are in — a phone timer helps.
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Take them out and rinse
Ease the trays out from the back. Rinse your mouth, then gently brush off any gel left on your teeth.
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Clean and store the trays
Rinse the trays in cool water and brush them softly — hot water can warp them. Let them dry, keep them in the case, and put the gel back in the fridge.
If your teeth feel sensitive
Short twinges are common while whitening and settle once you finish. To ease them:
- Take a day or two off, then carry on — you won’t lose your progress.
- Wear the trays for a shorter time for a few days.
- Brush with a toothpaste for sensitive teeth, or put a little of it in the trays for 10 minutes instead of gel.
While you’re whitening
Keep doing
- Brushing twice a day and cleaning between your teeth
- Drinking plenty of water
- Keeping the gel cold and out of the sun
For an hour after each session, avoid
- Coffee, tea, red wine and cola
- Curry, beetroot, soy sauce and berries
- Smoking or vaping
Common questions
Will my fillings, crowns or veneers whiten too?
No — whitening only lightens natural teeth. If you have fillings or crowns on your front teeth, let us know before you start so we can talk about how they’ll match afterwards.
How long will the results last?
Whitening isn’t permanent. The shade fades gradually, and how quickly depends mostly on what you eat, drink and whether you smoke. Keep your trays — an occasional top-up is the easy way to hold the colour.
Can I top up later?
Yes. Hang on to your trays and give us a call when you’d like more gel. If your teeth have changed since the trays were made (new fillings or crowns, for example), we’ll check they still fit first.
I’m pregnant or breastfeeding — can I whiten?
Please hold off. Take-home whitening isn’t recommended while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding — talk to us and we’ll plan it for later.
These steps follow SDI’s instructions for POLA Day 9.5% and were reviewed by Dr Immanuel Puvanendiran, AHPRA reg. DEN0001316655. If your dentist has given you different instructions, follow those. More about teeth whitening at Southside Dental.