Teeth Whitening

You may have read about tooth whitening in the celebrity gossip columns and probably know someone who’s had whitening treatment, but do you know how it actually works?

Put simply, tooth whitening (sometimes known as ‘bleaching’) can be a very effective way of lightening the natural colour of your teeth without damaging or removing any of the tooth surface. As we get older our teeth become naturally darker, a fact not helped by some of the food we eat. Bad habits such as smoking, and drinking lots of tea, coffee, fruit juices and red wine all add to staining which effects the overall colour of our teeth.

There are a number of ways to superficially whiten teeth using over-the-counter products, such as whitening toothpastes. But although these help to remove plaque and surface stains, they are not able to produce dramatic whitening results. Peroxide-based whitening gels and whitening strips, which are applied directly onto the surface of your teeth are also available, but they should be used with care and their effectiveness cannot be assured.

For really effective whitening results we recommend using professional whitening treatments under the supervision of a dentist or qualified hygienist. These treatments contain hydrogen peroxide, at a concentration that is not available in over-the-counter products and which can only be prescribed by a dental professional. Hydrogen peroxide is perfectly safe and when applied to the teeth allows oxygen molecules to gently work their way into the hard outer surface (enamel) gradually lightening the shade.

Dentist-supervised home whitening is the best way to whiten your teeth in the privacy of your own home. We use custom-made trays that fit over your teeth, similar to a gum shield. These ‘bleaching trays’ are filled with a whitening gel and worn every night for two weeks – effectively whitening your teeth as you sleep.