TEETH WHITENING TREATMENTS & BLEACHING

Teeth whitening is one of the most straightforward ways to give you a whiter and brighter smile. The whitening process can be carried out using a special bleaching gel or by using a special halogen lamp.

Tooth whitening can be a highly effective way of lightening the natural colour of your teeth without removing any of the tooth surfaces. It cannot make a complete colour change, but it will lighten the existing shade.

Tooth whitening only works on natural teeth. It will not work on any types of "false" teeth such as dentures, crowns or veneers.

What does teeth whitening involve?

Professional bleaching is the most common form of tooth whitening. Your dentist will apply the whitening product to your teeth, using a specially made tray which fits into your mouth like a gum-shield.

The active ingredient in the tooth whitening product is usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. As the active ingredient is broken down, oxygen gets into the enamel on the teeth and the tooth colour is made lighter.

Once your dentist has started this treatment you will need to continue it at home.

How long does teeth whitening take?

The total treatment can usually be done within three to four weeks. This means regularly applying the whitening product at home over two to four weeks, for 30 minutes to one hour at a time.

However, there are some new products which can be applied for up to eight hours at a time. This means a satisfactory result can be achieved in as little as one week.

What are the side effects?

Some people may find that their teeth become sensitive to cold during or after the treatment. Others report discomfort in the gums, a sore throat or white patches on the gum line. These symptoms are usually temporary and should disappear within a few days of the treatment finishing.

What other tooth whitening procedures are there?

There is now laser whitening or "power whitening". During this treatment a light or laser is shone on the teeth to activate the chemical. The light speeds up the chemical reaction of the whitening product and the colour change can be achieved more quickly.

Laser whitening can make teeth up to five or six shades lighter. The laser whitening procedure usually takes about one hour.

What about home tooth whitening kits?

Home kits are cheaper. However, because tooth whitening is a complicated procedure you should only have it done by a dentist after a thorough examination and assessment of your teeth.

Over-the-counter tooth whitening kits sold in the UK are not recommended as they usually contain only a small concentration of hydrogen peroxide (the whitening product). The legal limit in the UK is 0.1% of hydrogen peroxide and effective bleaching products need to have about 3.6%. This means that home tooth whitening kits will not be able to lighten your teeth noticeably.

Also, some home tooth whitening kits contain mild acids and others are abrasive. This can cause ulcers and damage to the gums if the product is not used properly.

What about whitening toothpastes?

There are several whitening toothpastes on the market. Although they do not affect the natural colour of your teeth, they may be effective at removing staining and therefore may improve the overall appearance of your teeth.

Whitening toothpastes may also help the effect last, once your teeth have been professionally whitened.

How much does professional teeth whitening cost?

You cannot get whitening treatments on the NHS. Private charges will vary from practice to practice and region to region. Laser or power whitening will be more expensive than professional bleaching.

Ask for a written estimate of the cost before you start any tooth whitening treatment.