Tooth whitening

What is Tooth Whitening?

Like hair and skin, teeth vary in colour. Even when they are quite healthy, some are yellower or darker than others. Teeth tend to get darker as people get older. Health problems in childhood and antibiotic staining will darken out teeth as well.

Teeth sometimes become darker if their roots have been damaged or diseased and the nerve has died.

Tooth colour can be very effectively lightened using tooth whitening gel, used inside or outside the tooth.

Tooth whitening is completely safe to the teeth, gums, dental work and the body.

What will my dentist do?

Home whitening:

Your dentist will use a 3-D scanner and measure the shade of your teeth and create an accurate printed model so a dental technician can make the tray to fit.
At your second visit your dentist will provide you with a whitening kit including a gel to use at home in a tray which fits closely round your teeth. You will need to put the tray in your mouth over night or 1.5 hours for 14 consecutive days/nights, as instructed by your dentist.

Whitening in the surgery:

Where a single tooth has darkened or nerve of the tooth has died and the tooth’s root has been filled, whitening gel is put inside the tooth, under a temporary dressing. The bleaching agent remains in the tooth for about a week, before being cleaned out so that a white filling can be placed.

There are two ways of whitening outside the teeth. One takes place at home and the other in the dental surgery. Both are effective and your dentist will discuss the best technique to use

Your dentist will make a note of your tooth colour using model teeth in different shades before they treat you.

Your teeth may be sensitive during treatment, this is however transient and will go a few days after whitening.