Is whitening suitable for me?

For the vast majority of people, whitening can work really well and the results will be a significant improvement. However, there are some instances where patients aren’t suitable for treatment.

Teeth whitening can lead to temporary sensitivity to temperature, pressure and touch.

‘People who have dental restorations such as crowns or bridges; porcelain veneers; cosmetic bonding or tooth coloured fillings will find that the bleaching agents won’t work on all their teeth, in other words those teeth will not respond to whitening, there colour will remain the same as it is.

Does teeth whitening affect your enamel?

Contrary to popular believe, your tooth enamel is safe. ‘I get asked this a lot, Dr Dhody. ‘The conclusive answer is no. Dental whitening products only remove surface stains that are in the microscopic pores of your teeth. The bleach does not penetrate deeply within the tooth.

Types of Teeth Whitening:

1. At Home – The dentist will take an impression of your teeth to make tailor made trays for you like a mouth-guard, and ask you to come back in a weeks time. During your second visit Dr Dhody will tell you how to use it with a bleaching gel. Then, using your trays at home, you regularly apply the gel for a specified period of time over 2 to 4 weeks depending on how white you want your teeth to be. Some whitening gels can be left on for up to 8 hours at a time.
2. In Surgery– Zoom or laser whitening, also known as power whitening, is another type of teeth whitening system that a dentist can provide. A bleaching product is painted onto your teeth by the dentist and then a light or laser is shone on them to activate the whitening. Laser whitening takes about an hour and more.

How long does teeth whitening last upto?

The good news is the effects of whitening does last for a long time. However, this will vary from person to person, ‘The effect is less likely to last as long if you smoke, or eat or drink things that can stain your teeth.

 

What causes teeth to stain?

Smoking

Drinking coffee

Red wine

Having food with Turmeric

 

It is important for patients to brush and floss regularly, to maintain good hygiene.

It is also important for patients to brush and floss regularly throughout the day, to maintain a good oral hygiene and a whiter shade.