Information about Teeth Whitening
Who can provide tooth whitening?
Teeth whitening is a procedure regulated by the General Dental Council and should only be carried out by a dentist or another regulated dental professional, such as a hygienist or dental therapist, under the prescription of a dentist.
Is tooth whitening safe?
Tooth whitening is a safe treatment when done correctly. We would always book you in for pre tooth whitening assessment before we proceed with your whitening. Tooth whitening is a regulated cosmetic procedure in the UK and Europe and there are strict regulations we must adhere to when providing this treatment.
Are there any side effects?
The main side effect is sensitivity in some form with some patients having no sensitivity at all to others having it from early on in treatment. This is temporary and will resolve when the treatment is complete.
Some patients have experienced gum irritation. This is normally due to using too much of the tooth whitening product in the trays and the excess spreading onto the gums. We will give you instructions on how to prevent this at your fit appointment.
How does it work?
Teeth get stained due to Extrinsic and Intrinsic staining. Extrinsic staining is staining on the outside of teeth that can be removed by your dentist at your routine scale and polish. Intrinsic staining is the stains that are within the enamel of your teeth which cannot be removed with brushing or dental cleaning. The tooth whitening penetrates the enamel of your teeth and whitens the internal structure of your teeth.
Is tooth whitening effective on all patients’ teeth?
All teeth have a base spectrum colour and this varies from person to person. Tooth whitening is most effective on yellow/white spectrum shades. Teeth on the brown/grey spectrum are much more difficult to whiten. Results will vary from person to person and depends on the original shade of the teeth. Some patients will see a result very quickly whereas others may need to whiten for a prolonged period of time to get the result they want.
How long will it last?
Tooth whitening is not permanent. Over time the teeth will darken slightly so you may wish to top up the whitening to brighten them back up. We sell top up syringes at the practice. Most patients top up once or twice per year for special occasions such as holidays or weddings but it is individual to how each person feels about their own teeth.
Do I need to avoid certain foods/drinks?
Minimising certain foods will prevent further stains on your teeth and give a longer lasting white smile. Foods and drinks such as tea/coffee, red wine, curries or spiced foods. Smoking can also cause staining. Good oral hygiene with regular brushing and flossing can help remove these stains and attending regularly to your dentist for a clean and polish to remove any stubborn stains.
How many appointments will I need?
Two appointments are needed. One for an initial assessment to check the overall mouth health and to decide the suitability for you to have this treatment. At this appointment a full assessment will be caried out along with photographs, 3D scan and diagnostic xrays if required. If suitable, the second appointment will be to provide you with your tooth whitening kit, fit your custom whitening trays and give you the instructions on how to use your whitening.
Will my veneers, crowns and tooth coloured fillings whiten?
No. Tooth whiten will only lighten natural teeth. We will discuss this at your pre whitening assessment and advised of anything that may not change colour during treatment.
I have a dark coloured tooth which has been root treated. Will this whiten?
Not with at home whitening. We would recommend you see your regular dentist and they can discuss special whitening that is suitable for root treated teeth.
Do whitening toothpastes work?
No they will not whiten your teeth. Whitening toothpastes are more abrasive than standard toothpaste and can therefore remove stains more effectively but they do not whiten the underlying shade of your teeth.
Do over the counter or online whitening products work?
Products advertised online and bought over the counter will have ingredients similar to the whitening toothpastes and may remove staining but will not whiten the teeth. They can also be very abrasive which can damage the enamel making it thinner. In turn this may make teeth look darker as more of the underlying dentine will shine through. Be very careful what you are buying online or over the counter as you are unsure exactly what is in the product. Sometimes these products contain and acid which will make the surface of the tooth go a frosted colour. This will make the teeth look whiter but in fact this is damaging the surface layer of your teeth.
Can I have tooth whitening at my beauticians or hairdressers?
No. Tooth whitening can only be provided by a dentist. Only a dentist can carry out a full dental assessment to assess the suitability of the treatment and check you are dentally fit to proceed. If you have whitening if there is tooth decay or gum disease present, this could cause more damage to the teeth and gums. It is illegal if there is no dental professional present and it may put your oral health at risk.
I’m pregnant or breastfeeding. Can I have my teeth whitened?
No. We would recommend waiting and having the treatment at a later date.
How old do I need to be to have tooth whitening?
The current regulation is that you can only be considered for cosmetic tooth whitening if you are over 18 years of age.
If you wish to know more about tooth whitening please visit the below NHS website: