Tooth whitening
Tooth whitening is a simple procedure used to lighten the colour of teeth using hydrogen peroxide.
There are two ways of whitening your teeth. Home whitening involves the use of custom-made clear gum shields into which the whitening gel is applied and then worn overnight. The other method is carried out by your dentist in the surgery using stronger whitening gel and offers a more immediate result.
Tooth-coloured fillings and replacement teeth (e.g., crowns and bridges) will not lighten with tooth whitening and may require replacement.
Whitening treatment can only be undertaken in a healthy mouth.
What are the benefits?
• Whitening treatment improves the appearance of your teeth.
• It does not require the removal of your natural tooth surface, as in the case
with crowns and veneers.
Is it worth it?
That depends on the results you aim to achieve and the budget you are prepared to allocate. If you are simply buying toothpaste that promises whiter, brighter teeth, you will be disappointed. Tooth whitening toothpaste does not work, and according to Longfellows Dentist, it could actually be damaging your teeth. See The Truth About Whitening Toothpastes: Do They Really Work?
If you are serious about having whiter teeth, then unfortunately, there are no shortcuts, and you will have to go to the dentist! The dentist will also have to be private as Teeth whitening is not available on the NHS, so you have to pay for it privately.
A beautiful, whiter smile in just a few easy steps.
Your smile can be an important social and personal asset, and if you are not happy with it, tooth whitening may provide the solution. Whitening procedures can help to correct yellowing in teeth due to ageing and remove stains caused by food, drinks or smoking, leaving you with a beautiful, natural smile. When you go to your dentist, you will have a choice of procedures where you will be able to see a noticeable improvement. Your teeth will appear whiter! There are several options to choose from.
You can choose from the following procedures:
In-surgery teeth whitening:
A whitening gel is applied to the teeth, and a special light is used to accelerate the procedure. It is easy, fast, and can be completed in one or two visits to the dentist.
At-home dentist-supervised whitening:
You will need to wear special custom-made trays for an hour during the day. Most patients experience very good results within one to two weeks. Boutique whitening is very popular. See their website https://boutiquewhitening.com/. Prices vary, but expect to pay upwards of £400.
A combination of both:
Especially good for people who want a bright, white smile fast and want long-lasting results. One recommended dentist is Aventis. (see https://www.aventis.ky/cosmetic-dentistry/teeth-whitening/). They offer a free consultation to help you achieve the shade of whiteness you want.
Conculsion
Smile whitening works, but not at the discount end of the market; tooth pastes and cheap gels will achieve nothing and can be dangerous, according to Which. If you can afford to see a private dentist, then there are many options, both in-chair (at the dentist) or at-home products that will give you the results you are looking for. One problem, though, is how long the results will last. A dentist will claim that results can last up to three years, but in reality, if you don’t reduce consuming products that stain your teeth, coffee and wine, etc, the results will last as little as three months making teeth whitening an expensive temporay fix.
