What is teeth whitening and how does it work?

When it comes to looking and feeling your very best, a beautiful, bright smile always makes a huge difference to your appearance and confidence levels. As we age, that once megawatt smile may become discoloured.

Teeth naturally lose their whiteness over time as the enamel becomes weaker and thinner. The rate of discolouration can also be accelerated by a long list of factors, including medication use, your genetic makeup, poor brushing technique, smoking, and excessive consumption of certain foods, coffee, wine, soft drinks or tea.

Whatever the reason behind the discolouration of your teeth, teeth whitening services can provide the solution.

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening services or products use tooth bleach (usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) to break down visible stains on teeth and lighten them by several shades. The result of which is a brighter, whiter smile that looks and feels healthy.

There are many teeth whitening treatments and products available, including stain removal toothpastes and over-the-counter bleaching products. For the best result however, accessing teeth whitening services at a dentist is recommended.

Are the results instant after whitening?

There are two types of teeth whitening services available at the dentist, both of which do not provide instant results. Generally, you need to take at least two or three trips to the dentist to fully whiten your teeth.

What’s involved in teeth whitening?

The first method is bleaching gel; this involves your dentist taking an impression of your teeth. From this impression, a mouthguard that fits your teeth perfectly can be made. This is then used to apply the bleaching gel to your teeth. Once your mouthguard has been made, you can bleach your teeth at home. The bleaching gel must be administered on a regular basis during the first few weeks of treatment.

Laser teeth whitening is another technique used by dentists. Also referred to as powder whitening, laser whitening takes less time and can provide better results than bleaching gel. During laser whitening, the bleaching agent is coated onto the teeth before a laser is used to trigger the whitening process.

Am I a suitable candidate for teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening isn’t for everyone. Your teeth and gums must be in good condition to be considered for teeth whitening. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, teeth whitening should be avoided as research has not been undertaken on the effects of teeth whitening during pregnancy or nursing.

It is also important to note that teeth whitening treatments have no effect on the colour of veneers, crowns, bridges or dentures.

Looking for a teeth whitening specialist near you? Start your search for a dentist right here.