Brightening your smile
with teeth whitening
Teeth whitening is a straightforward procedure that can significantly enhance your smile. By eliminating stains and brightening your teeth, whitening can quickly and affordably rejuvenate your smile. Since our teeth naturally accumulate stains over time from dietary choices, whitening provides a more youthful and attractive appearance with minimal intervention.
How does teeth whitening work?
Our teeth frequently come into contact with various substances that can cause staining and discoloration. Common examples include coffee, tea, red wine, and cigarette smoke. Over time, the stains from these substances penetrate into the teeth, reducing light reflection and resulting in a darker appearance.
- Your dentist will take impressions of your teeth, which will then be used to create custom-fitted trays designed to hold the tooth whitening gel.
- The trays and gel are worn at night for approximately ten days. When in contact with the teeth, the whitening gel breaks down and penetrates into the tooth, effectively breaking up stains and flushing them out.
- After several days of treatment, the stains are effectively removed, allowing light to reflect off the teeth, resulting in a brighter and more radiant appearance.
- The custom trays can be reused for touch-up whitening sessions using professionally formulated gels.
The limitations of teeth whitening
- Crowns, veneers, and fillings will not lighten.
- It is not effective with certain stains such as those caused by Tetracycline antibiotics. However, there are other options to deal with such stains such as veneers which can be discussed during your consultation.
- It is associated with sensitivity, however this only lasts whilst the treatment is being carried out.
Do my teeth need any preparation?
If your teeth are stained, removing any surface stains prior to teeth whitening can enhance the results. Additionally, addressing any oral diseases beforehand is important for optimal outcomes.
Is teeth whitening safe?
Yes, tooth whitening is the most commonly used cosmetic procedure worldwide and has been proven to be safe and effective when performed correctly. However, it should only be conducted by a trained dental practitioner.