The invention relates to a method for bleaching and cleaning teeth for whitening purposes that involves the substantially simultaneous mixing of peroxide and an abrasive cleaning agent and application of the mixture to a patient’s teeth, and burnishing the mixture onto the enamel of the teeth. The filter medium is supported at least on one side on a supporting tube. A local control panel includes an indicator light substantially adjacent to or in close proximity to the device being monitored to alert personnel of detected faults.