Dental bleaching devices in the shape of a dental tray, strip or patch include a barrier layer, a dental bleaching composition, and a protective adhesive composition that protects a person's gums from the dental bleaching composition during use. The barrier layer protects the bleaching and protective adhesive compositions from saliva or moisture during use. The dental bleaching composition is positioned so as to contact a person's tooth surfaces when the bleaching device is in use. The protective adhesive composition is positioned so as to shield a person's gums from the bleaching composition when the bleaching device is in use. The dental bleaching composition and protective adhesive composition can be in the form of a gel or they may be substantially solid. They preferably include a tissue adhesion agent comprising a hydrophilic polymer.