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Teeth whitening is one of the easiest ways to enhance your looks. Whether you want to add a sparkle to your smile for your wedding day or perfect your look for business meetings, whitening is simple, safe and affordable. Many people say that they feel years younger after the treatment, having erased the effects of ageing, coffee, red wine and cigarettes.
The Smile Rooms Dental & Implant Clinic offers a range of whitening packages:
Home whitening
This is done at home usually at night in bed or for a few hours at a time. Your dentist fits you with special whitening trays, which hold the whitening gel on your teeth. The concentration of the chemicals is not as strong as with the power whitening. It is a safe and effective treatment at a relatively low cost. The results take a little more time to achieve, usually two to four weeks.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can everybody have the treatment
In general almost everybody can have the treatment, but the results can vary. There are a small number of people for whom it is advised treatment is not immediate. These include pregnant and lactating women (although there are no known adverse reactions) and patients with pre-existing sensitivity (this should be addressed before commencing whitening treatments). If you have had dental work in your front teeth you may need additional care.
2. How long does it last?
Re-whitening may be necessary after 2-3 years, but this depends on the number of staining products you consume. If you need to re-whiten with power whitening, the whole procedure needs to repeated. Alternatively, if you have home-whitening trays you can top-up as necessary at home. Top-up gels can be supplied on prescription from your dentist from £39 per syringe. Generally most people will top up once every other month to maintain the results with the home whitening system, or a couple of nights every few months.
3. Will the treatment improve the colour of my teeth?
Your teeth will appear brighter and whiter. This is a prerequisite for a healthier, youthful and attractive smile. The improvement is usually several shades lighter. Cosmetic experts say that as a rule of thumb the teeth should be similar in colour, but no lighter than the whites of your eyes. It should be noted that if you are a smoker or consume large amounts of black coffee, tea or red wine these stains may not be removed and will build up after treatment. It is advisable to see the hygienist prior to treatment to remove intrinsic stains. Also it is best to stop smoking and the consummation of stain creating foods/drinks while undergoing treatment and keep them to a minimum after if you wish to maintain the benefits.
4. Will the treatment have any effect on my discoloured white filling or my crown?
No. The whitening only affects natural tooth substance so crowns and fillings remain the same colour. The fillings and crowns can be restored to the lighter shade of the teeth after treatment without any problems. Normally the dentist will wait two weeks after the completion of whitening before replacing fillings and crowns. It is important that you are aware of this so that any additional treatment is not an unanticipated financial burden.
5. What happens if the teeth do not whiten evenly?
If the teeth have white spots on them before bleaching, these spots will appear whiter initially.
6. Are there any side effects?
Yes, but these are minor and not long lasting. The most common is tooth sensitivity and gingival irritation. These generally last for a few days. Others include sore throat if excess material is not removed and is swallowed, altered taste sensation and caffeine/tobacco withdrawal symptoms if patients rapidly stop during the whitening procedure. Extensive research has been conducted into the technique, which showed that it was safe, effective and worked extremely well.
7. What if I have any sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity is the most common side effect of tooth whitening. The best indicator of whether you may experience this side effect is if you personally think that having you teeth professionally cleaned by the dental hygienist is unpleasant. We recommend that you use a sensitivity toothpaste to clean your teeth for a few weeks before and after tooth whitening treatment. We supply a tooth serum to treat teeth that are very sensitive and this can be applied inside your whitening trays.
9. What do I do if I would like to undergo the treatment?
Ask your dentist if you are a suitable patient. He/she will advise you on the best method and how much your tooth colour will improve. You should be dentally fit before treatment commences.
If you’re considering a whiter smile, contact The Smile Rooms Dental & Implant Clinic on 01653 692230 today to book a consultation.
