Teeth Whitening Frequently Asked Questions
Is whitening suitable for me?
For the vast majority of people, whitening works really well and the results are 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 whitening gel won’t work on all their teeth. Those restorations will not respond to whitening, and their colour will stay the same as it is now.
Does teeth whitening affect your enamel?
Contrary to popular belief, your tooth enamel is safe. “I get asked this a lot,” says Dr Dhody. “The conclusive answer is no.” The hydrogen peroxide in the gel passes into the enamel to break down stains, and it is safe at the legal 6% limit when prescribed by a dentist.
Types of teeth whitening
- 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 week’s time. During your second visit Dr Dhody will show you how to use them with the whitening gel. Then, using your trays at home, you apply the gel regularly for a set period 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.
- In surgery – Also known as power whitening, this is another type of whitening a dentist can provide. The whitening gel is painted onto your teeth by the dentist and a light may be shone on them to activate it. In-surgery whitening takes about an hour or a little longer.
How long does teeth whitening last?
The good news is that the effects of whitening last for a long time. However, this varies from person to person. The effect is less likely to last as long if you smoke, or eat or drink things that stain your teeth.
What causes teeth to stain?
- Smoking
- Drinking coffee
- Red wine
- Food containing turmeric
It is also important to brush and floss regularly to maintain good oral hygiene and keep your teeth a whiter shade.
What our patients say
So grateful I was recommended to The Dentist.
I have my smile back
They listened to me and guided me on all options and was not pushy, if anything they scaled my thinking back to towards achieving realistic results.
I found we built trust in a very small window which is mainly down to their adherence on delivering patient care.
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So grateful I was recommended to The Dentist.
I have my smile back
They listened to me and guided me on all options and was not pushy, if anything they scaled my thinking back to towards achieving realistic results.
I found we built trust in a very small window which is mainly down to their adherence on delivering patient care.
Treatments I have had is teeth whitening and two front crowns- since having the treatment my confidence has blossomed and my smile is back on point.
I struggle with anxiety and become extremely panicked when in confined zones. The reassurance and care offered/delivered was extremely helpful and I felt safe in the care of The Dentist
Thank you
I've been going to this dentist for almost a year now initially it was just to clean my teeth and do regular check ups and I was really happy with how kind everyone was and the quality of the treatments. After a while I wanted to do teeth whitening but didn't know anything about it or the process. I had a consultation with them …
Read full review
I've been going to this dentist for almost a year now initially it was just to clean my teeth and do regular check ups and I was really happy with how kind everyone was and the quality of the treatments. After a while I wanted to do teeth whitening but didn't know anything about it or the process. I had a consultation with them and they ran through the treatment, cost and everything I needed to know. After a few weeks of using the gels my teeth were considerably whiter and I was receiving compliments from my family and friends on my smile. After a while they suggested I consider veneers for two pegs on the top of my teeth, they also do a monthly instalment and after a few weeks considering it I decided to do it and was very happy with the results. It looks very natural and matches my teeth perfectly and made me a lot more confident with my smile and was getting compliments from a lot of people shortly after getting it done. Would definitely recommend coming here everyone is very welcoming, friendly and professional and I've never had any complaints with any of the treatments
Cannot fault this dentist. Rikki and Ana made me feel at ease, explained all of the options and are super nice people. They helped me cure my gum disease quickly, and then continued with pain free dental implants which has given me back my confidence. No long waiting for appointments and communication from them is excellent and …
Read full review
Cannot fault this dentist. Rikki and Ana made me feel at ease, explained all of the options and are super nice people. They helped me cure my gum disease quickly, and then continued with pain free dental implants which has given me back my confidence. No long waiting for appointments and communication from them is excellent and professional. They also offer a great teeth whitening service. I seriously can't stop smiling, I am so happy with my treatment and would highly recommend the Dentist to anyone and in particular to nervous patients like myself.
Thank you Rikki and Ana, you 100% met my expectations :)
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