Teeth Whitening

What is teeth whitening?

It is a bleaching process that lightens discolouration of enamel and dentine. What causes dlscolouration? There are many causes. The most common include

ageing, consumption of staining substances (coffee, tea, tobacco etc), trauma, nerve

degeneration and old restorations.

Who may benefit from teeth whitening?
Almost anyone. Having a whiter, brighter,

younger looking smile can boost your self confidence.

How does teeth whitening work? The oxygen releasing whitening gel is applied to the surfaces of your teeth. As oxygen enters the enamel and dentine, it whitens the coloured substances without affecting the teeth structure.

Is teeth whitening safe? Yes. Clinical research and studies indicate that whitening teeth with oxygen releasing gel under supervision is safe for both teeth and gums.

Are there any side effects? Some people experience temporary teeth sensitivity during the treatment. These symptoms should disappear within 1-2 days of interruption or completion of the treatment.

How long do the results last? Your teeth will always be lighter than they were. However, some people want to touch up their smile by re-whitening once or twice yearly with a top-up treatment. This is especially valuable if you continue to use staining products such as coffee or tobacco.

'Power' or home whitening? Put simply, with Power whitening, you get results straight away but it costs more. With home whitening you follow a simple procedure at home, attaining optimum results after about two weeks. It is the more cost-effective option.

Can over the counter (OTC) products do the same? No. Current law does not allow OTC products to contain enough active ingredient for effective teeth whitening. Examination and advice from a dentist is also invaluable to safeguard against any possible problems.