A bit about tooth whitening

Teeth whitening is a simple and effective way of improving the colour of your teeth.

In the last 10 years, I’ve noticed a huge boom in Cosmetic Dentistry. Having a nice white smile is now an essential part of ‘looking good’. Achieving this may be simpler than you think! As you age, your teeth tend to discolour, so dental bleaching or teeth whitening is a great way to create a healthy and youthful appearance.

In our Practice, we talk about teeth whitening on a daily basis and I’ve noticed common questions that people have when they come in for this procedure. I have summarised the answers below:

I drink a lot of coffee/tea. Will whitening still work on me?

Yes. Superficial stains on the teeth (eg. From coffee, tea, smoking etc) can generally be polished away before we start the whitening process. The whitening gel actually improves not only the surface of the teeth but also internally. The entire ‘base colour’ of the teeth will be whiter and is independent of the superficial stains.

Do I have to change my lifestyle/diet to do bleaching?

Not at all! Your teeth do discolour due to surface stains on your teeth but it doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying your favourite foods! Common stains are caused by dental plaque, calculus, smoking and certain foods and drinks. The food and drink that tend to cause staining are coloured foods such as soy sauce, tomato sauce (including bolognaise), balsamic vinegar, blueberries, curries, cola drinks, dark juices, red wine, tea and coffee. Ingredients in some mouthwashes when these rinses are used too often can also cause discolouration on your teeth.

The great thing is though if you do indulge in any of these foods or drinks, it doesn’t mean you have to change your lifestyle if you want whiter teeth! These are surface stains and so as mentioned above, the stains can be polished away.

What type of Whitening is best?

Due to the boom in the Teeth Whitening market, there is an ever increasing amount of techniques, technologies and brands coming onto the marketplace. An easier way to think of all this is to separate them into 2 methods:

1. 1.At-Home Whitening (a customised kit is made at the dentist and then whitening is completed at home, typically over 2 weeks or so)
2. 2.In-Chair Whitening (done at the dentist, typically 60-90 minutes in duration)

Personally, I’m a big fan of the ‘At-Home Whitening’ system. Having seen the results of both methods, I’ve noticed a similar result initially, but the effects of At-Home Whitening lasts longer, is kinder to the teeth/gums and the result can be dictated by you as you can stop whenever you wish.

Home bleaching is very safe when used according to instructions. It is always important to see a dentist before you start bleaching and it’s recommended to have the bleaching carried out by a dentist as the whitening process should not be abused. Bleaching teeth well beyond the recommended level can lead to issues and I go by the adage, safety first.

As whitening is a non regulated industry, it can be quite daunting to see the pop up stands around shopping centres and beauty salons. The difference with seeing a dentist is that they know the anatomy of a tooth, they can identify if you have any problems and are fully aware of all the risks. A dentist is university qualified to perform these types of procedures. Would you stop at a shopping centre pop up stand for dermal injectables, Botox or fillers? Probably not. You would want to see a qualified person that understands the human face and has qualifications in administering these products. This should be the same for whitening.

How long does it last?

Following the initial treatment (2 weeks approximately), the colour will last typically 12-18 months but it does depend on individual circumstances. The colour rarely reverts back to the original. In my experience, the teeth are still whiter but it’s mainly the ‘brightness’ that fades.

How do I maintain the whitening in the long term?

Having the customised kit from the ‘At-Home Whitening’ system means you can maintain the whitening for many years (I still have my kit from 9 years ago!)This usually means a few ‘top-up’ sessions every 6 months or so. You can also cater it to your needs. For example the few weeks before our wedding last year, Serena and I did some ‘top-up’ whitening together... very romantic.

Will it damage my teeth?

Not if you use it properly! Although the Whitening gel does penetrate the teeth, this effect is only very short term.

The great thing about whitening is that it can be done by almost everyone and the results are fantastic.

Until next time..... Dr L