Whitening or Bleaching

Everyday life takes its toll on our teeth. Drinking too much tea or coffee, smoking or even eating strongly colored foods can stain and discolor them. There are toothpastes available which will help remove these stains, but they can't change the actual color of the tooth underneath.

The color of your teeth is determined by your DNA, just like the color of your hair or your eyes. As we get older, the dentine - the soft, pulpy substance below the enamel that protects the nerves and the blood supply to the tooth - changes color and becomes more yellow.

A common problem among those considering Cosmetic Dentistry is stains on the teeth. The simplest and least expensive way to brighten the color of your teeth is through Teeth Whitening or Teeth Bleaching. When done well, teeth whitening can last for five years if the patient avoids things that overly stain teeth such as coffee and smoking. Touch-ups to teeth whitening are recommended.

Dentists or Hygienists can, though. By applying a bleaching agent to the teeth, they can whiten the teeth, giving you a sparkly white smile. This procedure is simple, harmless and practically painless.

It is important, though, to do it under your professional’s supervision. Don't be tempted to buy kits over the counter or on the Internet. Not only are they not made to fit your mouth exactly, it may be that bleaching isn't suitable for you, especially if you have gum disease or crowns.

How would my teeth be whitened?

The most common way is by using a special sleeve and some gel. First of all, the dentist or the hygienist will give your mouth a thorough check-up to make sure there are no other problems and that your gums are nice and healthy. Then he or she will take an impression of your teeth, upper and lower, using a special tray with dental putty. Using that impression, a plastic sleeve will be made which can fit snugly and exactly around your teeth.

The dentist or the hygienist will then show you how to put a small amount of the bleaching gel into the sleeve and then how to slide it over your teeth. Then you take the sleeve and the gel home and use it overnight, maybe every other or every third night, until your teeth are the desired color. You may find that your teeth are more sensitive for about 24 hours after each application, but this is only temporary.

There are other ways a dentist may whiten your teeth, for example with the use of lasers, which may be quicker. The advantage of the 'sleeve' method, though, is that you have greater control over the color.

Laser Whitening

Whitening is painless, noiseless and a very safe procedure which brightens up your smile. An examination with your dentist will be required initially before the Whitening procedure can commence. This ensures information regarding our full range of detail options is made available to meet your particular needs. Discuss Whitening with your Dentist Today.

Whitening can get your smile looking its best. Non-professional procedures and clinically unproven teeth whitening tips can often lead to unsatisfactory results, you should look for a whitening procedure that is:

• Fast and convenient
• Long lasting
• Low sensitivity
• Proven to be safe and effective
• Performed by a Dental Professional