Our teeth do a lot of work and are exposed to many things that make them look less white than they should. Drinking coffee, smoking, not brushing often enough, and other factors can all contribute to dull, discolored teeth. Unfortunately, a problem with our teeth can cause problems with our self-esteem. You may be so embarrassed by your teeth that you don’t want to smile or open your mouth - which can lead to problems with your professional and personal relationships. That’s why more people are using teeth whitening to improve the look of their teeth and achieve a whiter, brighter smile.
Is teeth whitening right for you?
Teeth whitening may be a good choice for you, depending on your needs. If you have discolored teeth but no serious dental problems, such as cavities or gum disease, then whitening might be a good option. You also need to be prepared for repeating the bleaching process regularly because discoloration usually doesn’t go away completely the first time. We advocate the use of the teeth whitening homekit as well as the "top up" maintenance after 3 or 4 months to make sure that your teeth stay the same brightness as when you left the clinic.
What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening (often referred to as a process of "bleaching" or "lasering" of the teeth) uses a chemical approved by the British Dental Association (BDA). As with any type of bleaching, the stains gradually return to a more normal color following the treatments and other teeth become whiter and brighter.
If you prefer to have your teeth whitening performed by a dentist, there are two techniques that are used. Firstly, there is the technique where you have an impression made from your teeth. A mould of your top teeth is produced and the special gel then used by the patient for two weeks within the mould (tray). This is repeated for the bottom teeth. A session with the dentist is then performed. The whole procedure takes about a month and can cost from £500 to £1000.
The second technique is the Zoom/ Britesmile/ Beyond method – this is the method we use as the results are instant, effective, cheap and with minimal pain / sensitivity. As described on the site, it involves using our advanced tooth whitening bleach on the teeth and then activated by a "laser" effect Halogen intense blue light. Our specific whitening is the latest, most popular method of tooth whitening, and takes as little as 40 minutes to treat.
Are you a good candidate?
One reason for choosing to have your teeth whitened by a dentist is he or she can properly evaluate you to make sure you are a good candidate for the process. Not everyone is. Usually younger people get better results than older people simply because their teeth will lighten more easily. If you engage in behaviors such as smoking or heavy coffee drinking, that will continue to discolor your teeth, then you would not be a good candidate.
Regardless of whether you choose the do-it-yourself approach or not, the best teeth whitening candidates do not need any additional dental work. If you have unfilled cavities or other problems with your teeth or gums, then these should be corrected before you consider teeth whitening.
Teeth Whitening Home Kit - You will be provided with an at-home option for teeth whitening. If the patient wishes to take home the recommended kit, they would create take an impression of their teeth with the supplied silicon mouth piece. They would apply the gel to their teeth twice a day for the week post treatment. They could then use the mouth piece and gel twice a week for approx. a further 4 weeks. The guard would be kept in the mouth for about 20-25 mins each time for the best effect of extra whitening and helping maintain.
Most of the over-the-counter teeth whitening products work in the same way and use the same types of bleaching chemicals you but at low concentrations, which is why they are not nearly as effective.
Are there any risks?
The biggest risk of teeth whitening is disappointment because not everyone is capable of achieving the same results. Some teeth are just easier to whiten than others. Otherwise there are no proven risks in the many years of teeth whitening, but only if the correct dentistry protocols are adhered to.
Will I be happy with my results?
If you have realistic expectations for the procedure, you should be happy with the results. Remember that not everyone’s teeth can be whitened equally, so you may never achieve the same gleaming smile as the celebrities and models on television. However, you should still be able to see a marked improvement in your teeth’s appearance and in your self-esteem after the procedure.
