Teeth Whitening for Wedding/ Holiday Season

If you are looking for a treatment which will give your teeth a lift prior to this summer’s weddings, family events or holidays, why not consider teeth whitening. This is a safe and effective way of lightening the natural colour of your teeth, without damaging your teeth and gums.

Teeth whitening can lighten stains caused by food, drinks and smoking. It can also improve staining caused by certain antibiotics and the general ageing process and provides a great way to enhance your smile.

What kinds of teeth whitening are available?

Following a consultation to ensure that you are suitable for the treatment, dentists are able to offer two main types of tooth whitening treatment.

In-surgery tooth whitening

Treatment will take between thirty minutes and an hour and during this time the dentist will apply the whitening gel to your teeth either directly or using a custom made whitening tray. The solution is then activated using a special light.

This process will be repeated 2 or 3 times in a session and you should see results instantly. It is normally advised that this is followed with a course of at home tooth whitening to get the best possible results.

At-home tooth whitening

This treatment can be completed in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you. Custom made whitening trays will be designed from impressions taken of your teeth. The dentist will then show you how to apply the whitening gel to the trays and will explain how long you will need to wear the trays. 

There are a number of different strength whitening gels available that will allow the treatment to fit best into your schedule, whether you want to wear the trays for an hour, or overnight while you sleep. Ensuring that you receive the results you are looking for in time to suit you.

Who can perform teeth whitening treatments?

In 2012 new regulations were brought into effect, stating that teeth whitening is a dental procedure and as such should only be carried out by qualified dental professionals. 

Regulation was also bought into effect to limit the strength of the whitening solutions used. Dentists can use solutions up to a maximum of 6% hydrogen peroxide whereas over the counter products and kits can only contain 0.1% hydrogen peroxide. 

This would be considered too low to have any noticeable effect on the colour of your teeth. So if you are looking for a safe and effective way to whiten your teeth consider asking your dentist at your next appointment.

What teeth whitening systems are available?

Here at Leigh Dental Centre we use the Enlighten Teeth Whitening system. This is clinically proven to give fast and effective treatment. There are a variety of different systems available and the dentist will be happy to discuss this with you to find the best possible treatment to suit your needs.

We might also recommend White Dental Beauty for your teeth whitening journey. This is a professional teeth whitener that delivers incredible results. This system will not only help to whiten your teeth, but it will also protect against sensitivity.

Alternatives to teeth whitening

If you are not suited to a teeth whitening treatment, you don’t have to give up hope of a brighter smile. There are lots of reasons that teeth whitening might not work for you. For example, if your discolouration is caused by medication or fluorosis, or if the tooth is badly decayed, whitening won’t work for you. Thankfully, there are other treatments available to explore.

Oral hygiene cleaning

A dental hygienist cleaning can help to remove plaque, tartar, calculus and bacteria that can allow your teeth to look dull and dingy. A professional cleaning will also be great for your teeth and gums while also delivering fresh breath, so it could be just the confidence booster you need in summer.

Veneers and crowns

Another alternative to teeth whitening would be to cover damaged teeth using crowns or veneers. This is a fast and effective way to upgrade your smile. It’s also a protective option that can help to limit further damage to your teeth.

Composite bonding

This is widely considered to be a more cost-effective alternative to veneers or crowns. The treatment can be completed in one visit and will help to transform the appearance of individual teeth. This can also be done in tandem with teeth whitening, but you should whiten your teeth first so that we can colour match to the new shade. 

Keeping your teeth looking beautiful all summer

Alongside whitening treatment, it is a good idea to ensure that you follow a good oral hygiene routine. These steps will help to prevent the stains that originally discoloured your teeth from returning.

Be sure to brush your teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste.

Don’t forget to clean in between your teeth, either with floss or interdental brushes once a day

Eat a balanced diet and limit the number of snacks you have between meals

Book in to see your dentist or hygienist for a thorough scale and polish to remove any surface staining or plaque and calculus deposits

Consider stopping smoking to reduce the amount of staining on your teeth

What are the next steps?

If you would like to book an appointment for tooth whitening call Leigh Dental Centre on 01702 472929 and one of our team will be happy to assist you.