Teeth Whitening: Seven Things You Should Know

20 / 11 / 2017

Teeth Whitening: Seven Things You Should Know

Teeth Whitening Questions Answered For Our Ipswich Patients

Teeth whitening, when performed by a qualified practitioner, is a straightforward procedure that is pain-free and effective. Its affordability is also another factor why it is one of the most common treatments that our Ipswich cosmetic dentists perform.

Even though this treatment is entirely safe, providing that you are a suitable candidate, it is always worth being aware of the facts surrounding any treatment. Here at the Lighthouse Dental Practice in Ipswich, we like our patients to be as informed as possible about any treatment that they are about to receive. In today’s blog, we discuss what you need to know about having your teeth whitened.

Is Teeth Whitening Non-Invasive?

The first phase of teeth whitening treatment involves taking impressions of the teeth to allow the manufacture of personalised whitening trays which contain the whitening gel. The gel is placed into the trays which are then worn for a few hours a day for a week or so, depending on the instructions given to you by the dentist.

Only natural teeth will be whitened

If you wear a crown or have a dental implant, it is important to be aware that these will not be whitened. Only natural teeth will benefit from this treatment, and, if you have implants or crowns, please discuss this with the cosmetic dentist.

Side effects are very rare

We will discuss whether you are a suitable candidate before the treatment starts. Most patients are, but a few, such as pregnant women, are not able to receive the treatment. The only side effect you may notice is a little additional sensitivity of your teeth for a few days afterwards, but this should return to normal quickly.

It isn’t permanent

Unfortunately, although the treatment will really improve the appearance of your teeth, the results will not last forever. The length of time it lasts will depend on the person and their daily habits. Smokers and red wine drinkers, for example, are likely to find that their teeth darken again quicker than those who don’t. The good news is that the treatment can be re-applied with no adverse effects.

It has to be done by a professional

Anyone wishing to offer teeth whitening now has to be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC). This law has been in place a few years now, but there are, unfortunately, still some illegal whitening outlets to be found. Please do not risk your teeth by using these, and visit our Ipswich practice instead.

Teeth whitening toothpaste is ineffective

It may be tempting to buy teeth whitening toothpaste; after all, the results look great on TV don’t they? The reality is that whitening kinds of toothpaste contain so little of the whitening ingredient, for safety reasons, that it will make very little difference at all. They may remove some surface staining, but much discolouration comes from within the tooth that this toothpaste can’t reach. Any surface staining that they remove may be down to additional abrasives within the toothpaste which can damage the surface enamel if brushing is too vigorous.

Whitening can be personalised

You may like to have your teeth whitened, but are put off by the overly white ‘Hollywood smiles’ that you have seen? At the Lighthouse Dental Practice, we want patients to leave our Ipswich practice happy with the results. We will discuss your aims with you during the consultation, and adjust the treatment accordingly.

We are always happy to answer any questions that you may have about your treatment so please do not be afraid to ask us. You can call us for advice or an appointment on 01473 257 379.

We are here to help you.
If you would like to speak to a member of our friendly team about any of the issues in this article please visit our contact page or call us on 01473 257379.