What is teeth whitening?

Tooth whitening is a non-invasive procedure that is designed to lighten the colour of your teeth.  The active ingredient most commonly use is Hydrogen peroxide or Carbemide peroxide in a glycerine base. Significant lightening can be achieved in the vast majority of cases.  It is safe, effective and results are stable. In general yellow or brown teeth are easier to whiten but grey or bluish teeth and striated or mottled teeth are more difficult to whiten. Factors such as the type of discoloration and overall condition of your teeth have a direct bearing on the level of whitening which can be achieved. 

Can everyone have teeth whitening?

However, bleaching can only be done in a healthy mouth; people with significant periodontal disease (gum disease) or with fillings with cavities in their teeth, pregnant women as well as heavy smokers are not candidates.

Is there any other way I can have whiter teeth?

You can consider alternative treatment such as crowns or veneers but these are more invasive than whitening and require the irreversible removal of tooth substance. 

How is it done?

In surgery whitening-  This  process  can  be  done  in  one  visit  or  may  require  multiple  visits depending  on  how  your teeth  respond  to  the  whitening gel. Each appointment takes approximately one to two hours. 

Home whitening ‐  This  process,  involves  wearing  a  custom‐made  whitening  tray filled  with  a  mild  whitening  agent  for optimal  results.   You  should  wear  the  gel‐filled  tray from  3  minutes  per  day  to  overnight  depending  on  the  strength of  the  whitening  agent.   

Is there any risk involved? 

As with any treatment there are benefits and risks. These are seldom serious enough to discourage you from having your teeth whitened, but should be considered when making a decision to have the treatment.  

Tooth sensitivity: solutions have been available for many years as an antiseptic in the mouth and it is widely used for its effect on teeth whitening. Some patients experience sensitivity during the first 24 hours. If tooth sensitivity develops, fluoride home care gels may be used to reduce sensitivity and frequent gargling/rinsing mouth with lukewarm water will ease sensitivity. Cases of permanent sensitivity are extremely rare.

Gum irritation: temporary inflammation or white spots on your gums can be caused by the whitening procedure. This should resolve within 5 days, if it persists contact your dentist.

Effect on existing fillings: the whitening procedure, can be very effective at whitening the teeth, but will not change the colour of the fillings or crowns already in your teeth. For aesthetic reasons, such fillings may need changing after the whitening procedures. 

Is there any guarantee of how white my teeth will be? 

There are no guarantees as to the degree of whitening of your teeth.  The amount of whitening varies with the individual.  Additional whitening sessions and the use of ancillary whitening systems, may be required, to obtain desired results. 

Is there anything I need to do after my whitening?

Keep your recall appointments with your dentist.

Use lukewarm salted water to gargle frequently.

Smokers are advised not to smoke for at least 24 hours.

Avoid the following food and beverages for at least 24 hours: tea, coffee, red wine, fizzy drinks, curries, dark green vegetables, tomato based sauces.

You can however consume milk, water, bananas, white fish, chicken, turkey, rice, pasta and white sauces.

For further information please contact us