Teeth Whitening

What is Teeth Whitening?

Professional teeth whitening has become extremely popular. Whitening will not change the colour of your teeth completely but will lighten the shade, without removing any of the tooth surface. The results are temporary but can last up to 3 years, depending on diet and smoking habits.

Teeth whitening treatments lighten the teeth with the use of Hydrogen Peroxide. Whitening can be applied to the outside of teeth to brighten their appearance, or to the inside of the root canal for teeth that have had diseased roots.

It may be necessary to have other dental treatments prior to whitening, as whitening treatments can only be applied to healthy teeth and gums. A visit to the dental hygienist is also recommended prior to whitening treatment, to give the teeth a thorough cleaning and remove any surface stains.

Tooth coloured fillings and replacement teeth will not lighten with these treatments.

Teeth may be sensitive to hot and cold food and drink for a few days after the whitening treatment, but this is a temporary effect.

Dental Surgery Whitening

Recent advances in technology have developed several alternative whitening techniques. Ask our dental teams for more information on the techniques used in your practice.

Over the counter whitening kits

Over the counter whitening kits are available, although dentists do not recommend using these as they use a generic sized tray, which could allow the bleaching agent to come into contact with your gums, causing irritation. They are also less effective as the bleach content is weaker.

How long will the effects last?

The whitening can last for up to 3 years, although this depends on your individual circumstances. If you are a smoker or drink lots of stainable liquids (such as tea and coffee), it is not likely to last as long.

What about whitening toothpaste?

Teeth whitening toothpaste contains mild abrasives to remove surface stains. Some whitening toothpaste may have additional polishing agents and special chemicals that are more effective against stains than regular toothpaste, but teeth whitening toothpaste are not designed to actually bleach your teeth. However, they can help to prolong the effects of teeth whitening treatment.