Tooth  Whitening

Why have my teeth become discoloured?

For some people, naturally darker or yellow teeth are just an unfortunate inheritance from their parents, it’s not something that endless brushing or flossing can do anything about. However, others will probably find that what they eat and drink can have a detrimental effect on the appearance of their teeth. Bad habits like smoking, drinking too much, and not bothering to brush can lead to severely stained or discoloured teeth. Tooth discolouration does not necessarily mean that there is something wrong and a trip to the dentist is required, but it can mean that you should cut down on drinks with strong colours like coffee and red wine to avoid problems occurring in the future.

Most people will experience some discolouration or darkening of the enamel as they get older, unfortunately this is unavoidable. It’s nothing to worry about and just happens as part of the natural aging process. It’s a slow process, and you probably won’t notice the change in shade until it becomes really obvious, by then you might think it’s too late to do something about it, but there are options available to you.

What can I do to make my teeth whiter?

Because some stains can penetrate deep into the mineral layers of the tooth, no amount of brushing is going to break them down, even if you use a whitening toothpaste and brush five times a day – in fact, this is likely to do more harm than good because of the abrasive nature of the toothpaste. What you can do is book an appointment at the Pearl Dental Clinic in London, and meet with your dentist to discuss a teeth-whitening procedure. Within an hour, you could have spotless white teeth, and there’s no surgery or anaesthetic involved. The procedure is simple and pain-free; firstly your mouth will be given a thorough clean to remove any plaque build up or bacteria, then a layer of gel will be applied to the surface of the teeth – avoiding your lips and gums. The mouth is then exposed to a blue curing light, which is designed to cause a reaction between the bleach and other ingredients contained in the gel. The bleach starts to break down the stains and whitens the enamel to the desired shade. The first layer of gel has done its work after about twenty minutes, so it is removed and another layer applied in the same way. After another twenty minutes the procedure is repeated a third time, and then the whitening treatment is complete. In some cases, if the staining was very bad, patients may be required to return for another session to get the best result.

Is it safe to use bleach on teeth?

Teeth whitening products rarely have more than about twenty percent of bleach in them, and the enamel of the tooth is much too strong for small quantities of bleach to destroy – the only thing it will break down is the staining. Home-kits and DIY whitening don’t achieve much change in colour because they contain only miniscule amounts of bleach – which is what whitens the enamel – not nearly enough to make a big difference. Some products don’t have any bleach in at all and concentrate on scrubbing the stains rather than breaking through them, but they won’t get the same results as professional teeth whitening.

Bleach can occasionally cause some discomfort or sensitivity around the gums, this is why it’s a good idea to let the dentist whiten your teeth rather than try it yourself, most home-kits will just include a generic mouth tray that won’t protect your gums at all. Tenderness around the gum line is normally the only side effect of the treatment, and even this will only last a day or two at the most. Sometimes the bleach can cause dehydration of the tooth to some degree, this is not dangerous, but can lead to some relapse in discolouration after the initial treatment, this is why dentists usually recommend a second appointment to make sure the procedure went as planned.
Teeth whitening is very safe and most people experience it without any problems at all, but it’s not advisable for pregnant or lactating women to try it, or children under the age of sixteen as their teeth are still growing.

How do I look after my new teeth?

Having a good oral hygiene regime before and after your treatment is always helpful, but if you’re a heavy drinker or smoker it might be time to change your ways if you don’t want your teeth to return to their original, unappealing colour. Generally speaking, if you look after your teeth correctly, they will always remain a shade or two lighter than their natural colour, but with exceptional care they can stay closer to their optimum whiteness for longer. Brush and floss twice daily to keep your smile in tip-top condition, and don’t forget to attend regular check-ups at your dentist’s office.

Is the teeth whitening expensive?

Inevitably, the most effective procedures are the most expensive, but teeth whitening still isn’t going to break the bank if you decide to go for it. You might get lucky and find a good dentist who charges seventy to eighty pounds for the treatment, but make sure you don’t just opt for the cheapest one you can find because it might not yield the best results. It might be worth your while saving your money and waiting for an appointment with a reputable, experienced dentist, instead of wasting your time and cash on DIY experiments that probably won’t get you very far.

If you’re looking for a dentist in the London area who can whiten your teeth for you, it’s a good idea to ask around your friends and family, or check out reviews on the Internet, to make sure you’re getting the best quality care at a reasonable price. There are lots of surgeries that offer the procedure, but their equipment can vary slightly – as can their customer care.