All teeth whitening systems use carbamide peroxide in the whitening gel. This works by penetrating the enamel of the teeth and oxidising the stains that are present on the teeth. As we age, teeth gradually become darker. This is mainly due to lifestyle, ie. Smoking, tea, coffee, red wine and highly coloured foods such as curry. All that whitening does is to remove those stains and brighten the enamel. It will not harm your teeth as long as the treatment is carried out by a qualified dentist.
Teeth whitening, when done under the supervision of a qualified dentist, is one of the simplest forms of cosmetic dentistry and one of the most instantly noticeable. While the system is one of the safest around and has a desensitiser as one of its ingredients, it is sometimes possible for already sensitive teeth to become more so. This can be overcome by using de sensitising toothpaste while whitening your teeth. The sensitivity only lasts while you are doing the initial whitening stage.
Most people’s teeth are not as white as they would like them to be and with age our teeth tend to become darker or more yellow. Teeth whitening can make your teeth quite a few shades whiter. There are two types of teeth whitening, one is home whitening which takes ten to fourteen days and the second is Zoom whitening which is done in the dental chair and is instant. If the staining on your teeth is from taking antibiotics as a child, then you may benefit from porcelain veneers.
Teeth whitening has no effect on crowns and veneers. You can still whiten your other teeth but just avoid placing the gel in the tray where your crowns are. You can mark your tray where your crowns are to make loading it with gel easier. Alternatively just load the tray as normal. The gel will have no effect on the crowns and won’t harm them; it just means you will be wasting a little bit of gel every time you wear the trays.
Teeth whitening works by lightening the discolouration of enamel and dentine, making your teeth look whiter and brighter. The gel used to whiten your teeth releases oxygen which erases the discolouration. This discolouration can be caused by coffee, tea, tobacco, red wine and even ageing! Almost anyone can have Teeth Whitening. Teeth Whitening will not change the colour of crowns or fillings. An examination would be carried out before impressions are taken to ensure you are a suitable candidate. The effects can last for up to 18 months but regular top ups can be carried out to ensure your teeth stay white.
Whatever type of whitening you have with a dental professional (dentist) is guaranteed to whiten your teeth. However, some people are more impatient than others and want an instant result. If you have a short deadline to whiten your teeth, then the laser whitening is better as it achieves an instant result. The home whitening is more cost effective but can take up to two weeks to achieve optimum whiteness. Only have your teeth whitened by a dentist who is qualified to do this treatment and will ensure that the health of your teeth is not compromised.
Teeth that are prone to sensitivity in normal daily life can sometimes have heightened sensitivity while you are whitening. It is recommended that Sensodyne toothpaste is used throughout the whitening process to combat this. Normally the sensitivity is not really painful and most times a mild painkiller will make it more comfortable. If there is any sensitivity it will only last as long as the whitening process and will cease immediately you stop. When you top up your whitening there is usually no sensitivity at all.
Having a whiter, brighter, younger looking smile can boost your self confidence. Only teeth that are crowned or have veneers will not whiten. Most teeth staining derives from food staining, smoking, tea and coffee. Most whitening treatments can last up to 2 years, but most people prefer to top up on a regular basis. Extensive research indicates that whitening teeth with oxygen releasing gel, under supervision, is safe for teeth and gums.
As a general guide, any toothpaste which includes fluoride is a good toothpaste to use. There are various brands on the market and it is personal choice as to which one to use. There are many types of whitening toothpaste on the market, but these usually only remove surface staining and so give the appearance of whiter teeth. If you have porcelain veneers, crowns or bridges, it is not a good idea to use very abrasive toothpastes on porcelain.
Bleaching kits bought over the counter will only remove surface staining from teeth. Whitening treatments with a dentist will provide you with everything you need to initially whiten your teeth up to 12 – 14 shades lighter with no risk of damage to your tooth enamel. The initial whitening treatment will take approximately 10 – 14 days to complete and as a rule will need to be topped up from time to time to retain optimum whiteness.
