Teeth Whitening

Cosmetic Dentistry

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is a highly effective way of lightening the natural colour of your teeth without removing any of the tooth surfaces.

Why whiten my teeth?

White teeth look great- attractive, youthful and clean. Few people have naturally white teeth, and teeth can become darker with age. Smoking and drinks such as tea, coffee and red wine will also progressively darken the teeth.

What does teeth whitening involve?

Teeth whitening are a bleaching process that lightens discoloration and removes stains from within the enamel of the teeth. During your consultation the procedure will be discussed with you to determine if tooth whitening is suitable in your case. Teeth whitening do not affect the colour of artificial teeth, crowns, veneers or fillings. An impression of your teeth is taken with a dental compound. This issued to make thin, clear trays, which fit snugly over your teeth. You are given syringes of gel that contain a 15% carbamide peroxide bleaching agent. You simply place some of the gel in the tray and fit it over your teeth or a few hours daily for one to three weeks. You need to wear the tray for at least three hours each day- or overnight if you prefer. We will see you again to review progress after two weeks.

Is the process safe?

Yes. Research and clinical studies indicate that whitening teeth with carbamide peroxide and/or hydrogen peroxide under the supervision of a dentist is safe for teeth and gums.

How long will my teeth stay whiter?

The effects of whitening normally last for many years, although this will vary from person to person. Inevitably with time the teeth will start to darken again due to drinks and food (and more rapidly if you are a smoker). Most people like to maintain their whitening effectively using the gel for one or two nights every three to six months.

Is teeth whitening OK for everyone?

Teeth whitening can only lighten the existing colour of your natural teeth. It will not work on any types of ‘false’ teeth such as crowns, veneers or dentures. These may need replacing if they are stained or are the wrong colour. If you have white fillings, these will not change and may also need to be replaced to match your whitened teeth.

What if I am pregnant?

To date, there has been no testing done on the effects of teeth whitening while pregnant or breast-feeding. To be cautious we recommend that you do not have your teeth whitened during pregnancy.

Are there any side effects?

Most people found that their teeth become sensitive to cold during the treatment. This lessens after a few days, but you may found you need to have a break from whitening for a day or so or use toothpaste such as “Sensodyne” to reduce the effect. If you have natural white fecks in your enamel these will become more apparent during treatment but will fade following treatment.