There are no prizes for guessing what teeth whitening is all about! Just as it sounds, teeth whitening is a process that leaves your teeth brighter and whiter with results you can see pretty much immediately,
It’s one of the most popular cosmetic treatments for teeth and can give you a real confidence boost if your teeth aren’t as white as you’d like.
Wondering if it’s the right thing for you? Read on!
How does teeth whitening work?
Your teeth can change colour for a number of reasons; ageing, smoking, eating and drinking things with staining agents such as coffee or red wine as well as taking certain medications.
It’s no wonder then, that so many of us are seeing teeth whitening as more of a necessity than just a luxury. But what does it actually involve?
The process involves applying a product that contains either hydrogen peroxide (a bleaching agent) or a carbamide peroxide (also known as urea-hydrogen peroxide) based gel to the surface of the teeth that you want whitened.
This then breaks up any stains on the surface of your teeth, resulting in whiter teeth.
Having your teeth whitening at the dentist ensures maximum safety and the best results. We’ll take a digital scan of your teeth and create a tray that is made to fit you exactly right.
Can anyone have their teeth whitened?
We treat every case on its own merits but generally speaking, most people can have teeth whitening treatments.
We do recommend a thorough check up and consultation before you book or undergo any treatment.
This is to make sure there’s no underlying issues that need addressing before you go ahead with a teeth whitening treatment.
Teeth whitening isn’t viable for dentures, crowns or dental veneers.
How long does teeth whitening last?
While you can see instant results from a session of teeth whitening, these results won’t last. Typically, a treatment lasts between a 6 to 12 months depending on your oral health and things you eat and drink.
You can help make the results last longer by stopping smoking, cutting down on food and drinks that cause staining, and introducing a thorough dental care routine at home, along with regular hygienist sessions.
Are home teeth whitening kits safe?
Even if you don’t have sensitive teeth, there’s always a chance your teeth or gums could be harmed when it comes to teeth whitening at home.
The vast majority of home kits are safe thanks to an EU directive which states that over the counter products can contain no more than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide. Dentist led treatments can have up to 6% for reference.
While this is good news for the health of your mouth, it’s bad news if your teeth have deep or stubborn stains.
This isn’t to say you should be looking for products that flout these guidelines as that could put your teeth and gums at risk.
We understand that cost could be the deciding factor for you, but the damage caused by unsafe at-home treatments will cost far more to treat than if you undergo the treatment by a professional dentist.
We’ve also seen an increase in toothpastes that claim to whiten teeth such as activated charcoal pastes. The exfoliants in these toothpastes may scrub away some stains, but they also rub away your tooth’s enamel (its protective outer layer).
Our prices start from £295 for upper and lower teeth.
Think teeth whitening is for you? Book a consultation with one of our team now at
www.bridgestreetdentalsurgery.co.uk or phone 01937 833416.
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