The safe way to brighten your teeth

Teeth naturally darken with age, and their appearance can be affected by the accumulation of surface stains from the use of tobacco products and the consumption of certain foods and drinks.

There are a variety of Tooth Whitening techniques. Some are surrounded by media hype, such as Zoom and Laser Whitening which use a light to help activate the bleach. Studies have shown that light and laser activated whitening agents do not work any better than simpler, less expensive techniques.

We have selected a few teeth whitening systems that don’t require unnecessary fancy and expensive equipment, thus keeping costs down and more affordable for our patients.

With a quick consult we can determine your needs and wants, and can check that whitening will work well for you. This is an important part of the process as whitening can only safely be carried out on a healthy mouth that is free from gum disease and tooth decay.

We’ll also make sure that whitening will be effective for your teeth, as it cannot lighten existing dental restorations such as crowns and bridges, and may not work so well on teeth that have been root treated, or which have dental fluorosis. Once we are sure whitening will help give you the results you want, then we will help you pick the option best suited to your needs. For a natural looking shade, it is best to aim for a colour no lighter than the whites of your eyes.

Two approaches to whitening

We offer two different types of tooth whitening, as it can be carried out in our office, or we can supply you with custom-made whitening trays to use at home. In-office tooth whitening is perfect if you want to brighten up your smile for an imminent event, as it is quick and easy.

Alternatively some people prefer to whiten more slowly at home. This gives you more control over how fast you whiten, and the ultimate shade of your teeth. We will supply you with the correct strength of whitening gel to comfortably and safely bleach your teeth, and will show you exactly how to use the trays. These trays are also very good for touching up the results of whitening every so often.

What to Expect After Teeth Whitening

It is quite normal to experience a little sensitivity after teeth whitening, but this should pass within a few days. During this period you will need to follow an all-white diet, as your teeth will be slightly dehydrated from bleaching and are more susceptible to staining.

You can help prolong the effects of tooth whitening by limiting your consumption of highly coloured foods, but eventually your teeth will revert to their natural colour. We will tell you how often it is safe to whiten your teeth, as it is important not to overuse the bleaching gels as you could end up damaging your teeth.

One thing to bear in mind is that studies have shown using a combination of in-office whitening with home bleaching trays will give the most effective results, as opposed to using each system individually.

Teeth whitening is a quick and easy way to lift your smile, and our teeth whitening systems are affordable and safe, ensuring you end up with white and healthy teeth.