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Teeth Whitening

Q What is tooth whitening?

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A Tooth whitening can be a very effective way of lightening the natural colour of your teeth without removing any of the

tooth surface. It cannot make a complete colour change, but it may lighten the existing shade.

 

Q Why would I need my teeth whitened?

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A 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 by food and drinks such as tea, coffee, red wine and blackcurrant. Smoking can also stain teeth.

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

 

Q What does tooth whitening involve?

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A Professional bleaching is the most usual method of tooth whitening. Your dental team will be able to tell you if you are suitable for the treatment, and will supervise it if you are. First the dental team will put a rubber shield or a gel on your

gums to protect them. They will then apply the whitening product to your teeth, using a specially made tray which fits

into your mouth like a mouthguard.

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.

 

Q How long does this take?

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A The total treatment can usually be done within three to four weeks. First, you will need two or three visits to the dentist. Your dental team will need to make a mouthguard and will take impressions for this at the first appointment. Once

your dental team has started the treatment, you will need to continue the treatment at home. This means regularly applying the whitening product over two to four weeks, for 30 minutes to one hour at a time.

However, there are now some new products which can be applied for up to eight hours at a time. This means you can get a satisfactory result in as little as one week.

 

Q What other procedures are there?

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A There is now laser whitening or ‘power whitening’. During this procedure a rubber dam is put over your teeth to

protect the gums, and a bleaching product is painted onto your teeth. Then a light or laser is shone on the teeth to

activate the chemical. The light speeds up the reaction of the whitening product and the colour change can be achieved

more quickly. Laser whitening is said to make teeth up to five or six shades lighter.

Before..

...After

Tooth Whitening - Before & After.jpg

Q How long does this take?

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A Your dentist will need to assess your teeth to make sure that you are suitable for the treatment. Once it has been agreed, this procedure usually takes about one hour.

 

Q How much does tooth whitening cost?

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A Charges will vary from practice to practice and region to region. Laser or power whitening will be more expensive

than professional bleaching. We recommend you get a written estimate of the cost before you start any treatment.

 

Q How long will my teeth stay whiter?

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A 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, or eat or drink products that can stain your teeth. Ask your dental team for

their opinion before you start the treatment.

 

Q What are the side effects?

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A Some people may find that their teeth become sensitive to cold during or after the treatment. Others may have

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.

If any of these side effects continue you should go to your dentist.

 

Q What about home whitening kits?

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A Kits purchased through the internet are cheaper but they are not assessed for safety and tend to be more acidic. So, there is a chance that these products could damage your teeth and gums. Because tooth whitening is a complicated procedure, we advise that you always talk to your dentist before starting the treatment. Regulations covering home kits vary from country to country. Kits sold in Europe cannot legally contain more than 0.1% peroxide and this is too little to be effective. In other countries where stronger peroxide is allowed, home whitening is more common. But you need to be careful as some kits sold over the internet may contain mild acids and abrasives.

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Q How safe are beauty kiosks and beauticians?

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A In Europe and in some other countries whitening can only legally be carried out by a dentist. So, tooth whitening by

beauticians and in whitening kiosks is illegal. In Europe, it is illegal to supply bleaching material containing more than

0.1% peroxide (or the equivalent in carbamide peroxide) to anyone other than a dentist, or direct to the public.

These regulations are to protect the public. They make sure that anyone carrying out whitening is properly trained and

has the right skills and knowledge to carry out the procedure without risking permanent damage to the teeth or gums.

 

Q What about whitening toothpastes?

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A There are several whitening toothpastes on the market. Although they do not affect the natural colour of your

teeth, they may be effective at removing staining. Therefore, they may improve the overall appearance of your teeth. Whitening toothpastes may also help the effect to last, once your teeth have been professionally whitened.

 

Q Can a single tooth which has been root filled be whitened?

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A Yes. Sometimes dead teeth go discoloured after a root filling. If the tooth has been root treated, the canal (which

contained the nerve) may be reopened. The whitening product is applied from the inside to whiten the tooth.

 

Q When might tooth whitening not work?

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A 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, crowns and veneers.

If your dentures are stained or discoloured visit your dental team and ask for them to be cleaned.

 

Q How can I look after my teeth once they have been whitened?

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A You can help to keep your teeth white by cutting down on the amount of food and drinks you have that can

stain teeth. Don’t forget, stopping smoking can also help prevent discolouration and staining.

We recommend the following tips to take care of your teeth:

• brush your teeth last thing at night and at least one other time during the day, with a fluoride toothpaste

• cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks

• visit your dental team regularly, as often as they recommend.

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