Teeth Whitening

There are a number of reasons why you might get your teeth whitened. Everyone is different; and just as our hair and skin colour vary, so do our teeth. Very few people have brilliant white teeth, and our teeth can also become more discoloured as we get older.

Your teeth can also be stained on the surface through food and drinks such as tea, coffee, red wine and black currant. Smoking can also stain teeth.

Calculus or tartar can also effect the colour of teeth. Some people may have staining under the surface, which can be caused by certain antibiotics or tiny cracks in the teeth which take up stain.

Professional bleaching is the most common form of tooth whitening. We would be able to tell you if you are suitable for the treatment. This treatment will be fully supervised.

The ' active ingredient' in the product is usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.  
As the active ingredient is broken down, oxygen gets into the enamel on the teeth and the tooth colour is made lighter.

There are three procedures for whitening treatment:

1. Home whitening treatment: First, we will make a mouth guard, which is a custom made tray which is designed to fit into your mouth like a gum-shield. For this we need to take an impression of your teeth at the first appointment. You will continue the treatment at home. This means regularly applying of the whitening product over two to four weeks, for 30 minutes to one hour at a time.
2. Laser whitening or ' Power whitening treatment'. During this procedure we will put gel on your gums to protect the soft tissue, and whitening gel is painted onto your teeth. Then a light or laser is shone on the teeth to activate the chemical. The light speeds up the chemical reaction of the whitening product and the colour changes can be achieved more quickly using this procedure. Laser whitening can make teeth up to five or six shades lighter.
3. Combination of laser and home whitening treatment.

We need to assess your teeth to make sure that you are suitable for the treatment. Once it has been agreed, this procedure usually takes approximately one hour.

The effects of whitening are thought to last up to three years. However, this will vary from person to person. The effect is less likely to last as long if you smoke, eat or drink products that can stain your teeth.

We will discuss this with you prior to your treatment.

Some people may find that their teeth become sensitive during or after the treatment. Others report discomfort in the gums, a sore throat or white patches on the gum line. These symptoms are usually temporary and should disappear within a few days of the treatment finishing.

Over the counter kits are not recommended as they contain only a small concentration of hydrogen peroxide (the whitening product). The legal limit in the UK is 0.1% of hydrogen peroxide and effective bleaching product needs to have about 3.6%. So home kits will not be able to lighten your teeth noticeably. Also, some contain mild acids and others are abrasive. This can cause ulcers and damage to the gums if the product is not used properly.

There are several whitening toothpastes on the market. Although they do not effect the natural colour of your teeth, they may be effective at removing staining and therefore may improve the overall appearance of your teeth. Whitening toothpaste may also help the effect last, once your teeth have been professionally whitened.
Look for @ Approved @ symbol of British Health Foundation. You can trust these products to live up to the claims on their packaging.

Sometimes. Many dead teeth go discoloured after a root filling. If the tooth has been root treated, the canal (which previously  contained the nerve) may be reopened. The whitening product is applied working from the inside to whiten the tooth.

Tooth whitening can only lighten your existing tooth colour. Also it only works on natural teeth. It will not work on any types of ' false' teeth such as dentures, crown and veneers.

Stained veneers, crown or dentures may need replacing. We will discuss this on your first appointment.

You can help to keep your teeth white by cutting down on the amount of food and drink you have that can stain your teeth. Don't forget, stop smoking can also help prevent discolouring and staining.

We recommend the following tips to care for your teeth:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
• Cut down on sugary foods and drinks
• Visit your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend.