Tooth Whitening
Why have tooth whitening?
Tooth whitening can: remove tooth stains both on the inside and outside of the tooth. It is suitable for patients with:
- Discoloured teeth
- Teeth which do not match in colour (canines may be a lot darker/ damaged tooth may look darker due to changes within the blood supply of the tooth)
- Teeth that require whitening for pre-veneer treatment (as light reflects off the underly-ing tooth)
Who is suitable for tooth whitening?
Patients who have good oral health and have been given the OK by the dentist. A full dental check-up is required to ensure that there are no cavities, gum disease, broken or leaking fillings and to determine what tooth whitening is suitable for you.
Which option should I go for?
This will depend on how quickly you want the tooth whitening, your lifestyle (whether you want to do it at home for 2hours every day/wear tray while you sleep) and your budget.
Does tooth whitening hurt?
Some people can experience extreme sensitivity from the tooth whitening gel. This can often be perceived as pain and may prevent you from finishing all of the gels that you have been given by your dentist.
It can also be advised to use painkillers when you whiten your teeth if you do experience severe sensitivity.
Teeth whitening success rates
Home tooth whitening studies show that it tends to last for 2years. Top-ups are then required to maintain a bright, white smile and this is normally done using your customised teeth whitening trays and tooth-whitening gel. The amount you will require to top up will depend on your diet as those who have more tea/coffee/red wine or smoke will find the shade of the teeth will darken again sooner.
In-surgery tooth whitening on its own does not always produce lasting results so is not recommended on its own. The best short term results are without a doubt achieved using a combination of In-Surgery tooth whitening and home tooth whitening
