Wrinkle Treatments Cosmetic Dentistry
Wrinkle Treatments
Cosmetic Dentistry
Tooth Whitening
Teeth become discoloured by age, smoking, medications and foods such as
coffee, tea and red wine. Simple brushing, even with special
toothpastes, does very little to improve your smile. You don’t have to
be a celebrity to have your teeth whitened. It easy to do and the
results are fantastic. Many of our nurses and dentist have whitened
their own teeth and love their results.
What is tooth whitening?
Tooth whitening can be a highly 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 will lighten the existing
shade.
Why would I need my teeth whitened?
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 through 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 teeth. Some people may
have staining under the surface, which can be caused by certain
antibiotics or tiny cracks in the teeth which take up stains.
What does tooth whitening involve?
Professional bleaching is the most common form of tooth whitening. Your
dentist will be able to tell you if you are suitable for the treatment,
and will supervise it if you are. First the dentist will put a rubber
shield or a gel on your gums to protect the soft tissue. They will then
apply the whitening product to your teeth, using a specially made tray
which fits into your mouth like a gum-shield.
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.
How long does this take?
The total treatment can usually be done within three to four weeks.
First, you will need two or three visits to the dentist. Your dentist
will need to make a mouthguard and will take impressions for this at the
first appointment. Once your dentist 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 a satisfactory result can be achieved
in as little as one week.
What other procedures are there?
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 chemical
reaction of the whitening product and the colour change can be achieved
more quickly using this procedure. Laser whitening can make teeth up to
five or six shades lighter.
How long does this take?
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.
How much does tooth whitening cost?
You cannot get whitening treatments on the NHS. Private 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.
How long will my teeth stay whiter?
The effects of whitening can 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
dentist for their opinion before you start the treatment.
What are the side effects?
Some people may find that their teeth become sensitive to cold during or
after the treatment. Others report 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.
What about home kits?
Home kits are cheaper. But because tooth whitening is a complicated
procedure you should only have it done by a dentist, after a thorough
examination and assessment of your teeth.
Over-the-counter kits sold in the UK are not recommended as they usually
contain only a small concentration of hydrogen peroxide (the whitening
product). The legal limit in the UK is 0.1% of hydrogen peroxide and
effective bleaching products need to have about 3.6%. So home kits will
not be able to lighten your teeth noticeably. Also, some contain mild
acids and others are abrasive. This can cause ulcers and damage to the
gums if the product is not used properly
What about whitening toothpastes?
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 and therefore may improve the overall appearance of
your teeth. Whitening toothpaste may also help the effect last, once
your teeth have been professionally whitened.
We recommend that you look for our accreditation symbol on the packaging
of oral care products. This is a guarantee that the claims made about
the product have been scientifically and clinically checked by an
independent panel of experts.
Can a single tooth which has been root filled be whitened?
Yes. Many dead teeth go discoloured after a root filling. If the tooth
has been root treated, the canal (which previously contained the nerve)
may be reopened. The whitening product is applied working from the
inside to whiten the tooth.
When might tooth whitening not work?
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 dentist and ask
for them to be cleaned. Stained veneers, crowns or dentures may need
replacing; again ask your dentist.
How can I look after my teeth once they have been whitened?
You can help to keep your teeth white by cutting down on the amount of
food and drink you have that can stain teeth. Don’t forget, stopping
smoking can also help prevent discolouring and staining.
We recommend the following tips to care for your teeth:
~brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
~cut down on how often you have sugary snacks and drinks
~visit your dentist at least once a year.
