Why aren’t my teeth white?

Most people are not born with naturally bright white teeth, and no amount of brushing can change that unfortunately. Even if you have a strict oral cleaning system, your teeth can still succumb to staining from certain foods and drinks, cigarettes, or the darkening of enamel that can occur over time. As teeth go through the aging process, the outer mineral layers become more porous and therefore absorb stains to a greater degree, making it harder to shift them. This is something that will inevitably happen to a lot of us, but there are ways of preventing stain build up and fighting the effects of time on our teeth.

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is a very popular treatment that can get rid of stains and brighten teeth to a polished, natural-looking smile. There are several different methods used to whiten teeth, some of which can be used in the home, but for the best results you should make an appointment at the Pearl Dental Clinic, where their highly qualified technicians will be able to send you on your way with a brand new smile in under an hour.

The majority of good teeth whitening products will contain a small amount of bleach, this is needed to break down the stains, and it’s usually why they are much more successful than abrasive tooth pastes and chewing gums, which concentrate on scrubbing away the blemishes rather than bleaching them. Without peroxide, it’s very hard to achieve any noticeable changes in the colour of the teeth, perhaps a shade or two over a period of several months. Professional teeth whitening can make a drastic difference, lightening enamel by eight shades or more.

What does the treatment entail?

After it has been determined that you are suitable for the procedure, your dentist will then talk you through what will happen and address any concerns you might have. Lots of people are afraid of going to the dentist, so most surgeons have experience in dealing with nervous patients. Teeth whitening is a virtually pain free, very low risk treatment, with no anaesthesia usually necessary and very few side effects.

To prepare you for the procedure, your lips and gums will be held back from your teeth and protected with a shield or cotton pads, this is to prevent any bleach from coming into contact with the soft tissues in the mouth. Specially formulated gel is then placed onto the surface of your teeth in a thin, even layer. To activate the chemical ingredients in the gel, a blue curing light is used; this concentrates the bleach and makes it work faster at breaking through the stains. A typical teeth whitening session will consist of three gel applications lasting about fifteen to twenty minutes each – the whole course should be complete in less than an hour. Some patients may wish to attend a follow up appointment or to return to the clinic for further treatment, this is optional and not always necessary, but it’s important to follow any advice your dentist may give on the subject – particularly if you are having your teeth whitened for the first time.

Can anyone have it?

Because it’s such a safe procedure, teeth whitening is suitable for almost everyone, however in some circumstances your dentist may not recommend treatment, mainly those relating to your general health and medical history. If you are allergic to any of the ingredients in the gel then you definitely shouldn’t have your teeth whitened. It’s also wise to avoid it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it has not been known to cause specific problems, but most physicians would agree that keeping bleach away from the expectant mother is the best course of action.

Patients under the age of sixteen are more than likely to be turned away for teeth whitening, unless their teeth are in a particularly dire condition, this is because the teeth are still growing and the enamel is not as hard as it is on adult dentures.

Patients with tooth decay or gum disease will probably be advised that a whitening treatment won’t fix their dental problems, and they may be referred for extractions, fillings, or some cosmetic dentistry instead.

Does it work on all teeth?

Teeth whitening is very effective when applied to natural teeth, but it won’t work on synthetic materials used to make crowns or veneers. The bleaching gel is designed to work on the porous enamel of real teeth; it can’t soak into the hard outer shells of manufactured replacements. If you have badly stained veneers or crowns, you can get them replaced or have them removed and cleaned with strong chemicals.

Are there any risks?

There are very few problems with the teeth whitening procedure because it is tried and tested on a daily basis. Thousands of people have left their dentists offices with a whiter smile on their face, with no adverse effects. However, no system is absolutely perfect, and you may experience some mild discomfort after your treatment, usually lasting no more than a few days. Some patients have reported feeling pain or tenderness in their gums, and extra sensitivity in the teeth, this will more than likely dissipate after a few days and can easily be controlled with painkillers like Ibuprofen. Slight bleaching of the gums has been known to occur, more so in home kits rather than in professional surgeries, this is due to the gel leaking out of the shields that are placed against the teeth. The gel used in clinics in the UK has a very high viscosity to prevent this problem from arising. If you should find white spots on your gums or they feel irritated, don’t worry; your mouth should be back to normal within a day or two. Persistent problems or reactions should be seen by a dentist as soon as possible, but it’s highly unlikely that they will be life threatening.

Why aren’t my teeth white?

Most people are not born with naturally bright white teeth, and no amount of brushing can change that unfortunately. Even if you have a strict oral cleaning system, your teeth can still succumb to staining from certain foods and drinks, cigarettes, or the darkening of enamel that can occur over time. As teeth go through the aging process, the outer mineral layers become more porous and therefore absorb stains to a greater degree, making it harder to shift them. This is something that will inevitably happen to a lot of us, but there are ways of preventing stain build up and fighting the effects of time on our teeth.

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is a very popular treatment that can get rid of stains and brighten teeth to a polished, natural-looking smile. There are several different methods used to whiten teeth, some of which can be used in the home, but for the best results you should make an appointment at the Pearl Dental Clinic, where their highly qualified technicians will be able to send you on your way with a brand new smile in under an hour.

The majority of good teeth whitening products will contain a small amount of bleach, this is needed to break down the stains, and it’s usually why they are much more successful than abrasive tooth pastes and chewing gums, which concentrate on scrubbing away the blemishes rather than bleaching them. Without peroxide, it’s very hard to achieve any noticeable changes in the colour of the teeth, perhaps a shade or two over a period of several months. Professional teeth whitening can make a drastic difference, lightening enamel by eight shades or more.

What does the treatment entail?

After it has been determined that you are suitable for the procedure, your dentist will then talk you through what will happen and address any concerns you might have. Lots of people are afraid of going to the dentist, so most surgeons have experience in dealing with nervous patients. Teeth whitening is a virtually pain free, very low risk treatment, with no anaesthesia usually necessary and very few side effects.

To prepare you for the procedure, your lips and gums will be held back from your teeth and protected with a shield or cotton pads, this is to prevent any bleach from coming into contact with the soft tissues in the mouth. Specially formulated gel is then placed onto the surface of your teeth in a thin, even layer. To activate the chemical ingredients in the gel, a blue curing light is used; this concentrates the bleach and makes it work faster at breaking through the stains. A typical teeth whitening session will consist of three gel applications lasting about fifteen to twenty minutes each – the whole course should be complete in less than an hour. Some patients may wish to attend a follow up appointment or to return to the clinic for further treatment, this is optional and not always necessary, but it’s important to follow any advice your dentist may give on the subject – particularly if you are having your teeth whitened for the first time.

Can anyone have it?

Because it’s such a safe procedure, teeth whitening is suitable for almost everyone, however in some circumstances your dentist may not recommend treatment, mainly those relating to your general health and medical history. If you are allergic to any of the ingredients in the gel then you definitely shouldn’t have your teeth whitened. It’s also wise to avoid it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it has not been known to cause specific problems, but most physicians would agree that keeping bleach away from the expectant mother is the best course of action.

Patients under the age of sixteen are more than likely to be turned away for teeth whitening, unless their teeth are in a particularly dire condition, this is because the teeth are still growing and the enamel is not as hard as it is on adult dentures.

Patients with tooth decay or gum disease will probably be advised that a whitening treatment won’t fix their dental problems, and they may be referred for extractions, fillings, or some cosmetic dentistry instead.

Does it work on all teeth?

Teeth whitening is very effective when applied to natural teeth, but it won’t work on synthetic materials used to make crowns or veneers. The bleaching gel is designed to work on the porous enamel of real teeth; it can’t soak into the hard outer shells of manufactured replacements. If you have badly stained veneers or crowns, you can get them replaced or have them removed and cleaned with strong chemicals.

Are there any risks?

There are very few problems with the teeth whitening procedure because it is tried and tested on a daily basis. Thousands of people have left their dentists offices with a whiter smile on their face, with no adverse effects. However, no system is absolutely perfect, and you may experience some mild discomfort after your treatment, usually lasting no more than a few days. Some patients have reported feeling pain or tenderness in their gums, and extra sensitivity in the teeth, this will more than likely dissipate after a few days and can easily be controlled with painkillers like Ibuprofen. Slight bleaching of the gums has been known to occur, more so in home kits rather than in professional surgeries, this is due to the gel leaking out of the shields that are placed against the teeth. The gel used in clinics in the UK has a very high viscosity to prevent this problem from arising. If you should find white spots on your gums or they feel irritated, don’t worry; your mouth should be back to normal within a day or two. Persistent problems or reactions should be seen by a dentist as soon as possible, but it’s highly unlikely that they will be life threatening.