Teeth Whitening
in Byford

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental treatment designed to lighten the appearance of discoloured or stained teeth. Results vary between patients and depend on factors such as the type and severity of staining, the condition of the teeth and the whitening method used.

Teeth whitening may help to:

1. Reduce the appearance of some tooth staining
   Whitening treatment may lighten certain stains caused by factors such as tea, coffee, some foods and natural changes in tooth colour over time.
2. Create a lighter tooth shade
   Professional whitening can be used to change the shade of suitable natural teeth. The degree of whitening achieved varies from person to person.
3. Provide a dentist-supervised whitening option
   Before recommending whitening, your dentist can assess your teeth and gums to determine whether treatment is appropriate for you and discuss the expected outcome, possible sensitivity and other considerations.

Teeth whitening does not change the colour of existing fillings, crowns, veneers or other restorations. Your dentist can discuss whether whitening is suitable for your individual circumstances and what results may reasonably be expected.

Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic procedure that has numerous benefits. However, not everyone is a good candidate for the procedure. Teeth whitening is most effective on patients who have healthy teeth and gums, and who have yellow or stained teeth.

Not everyone can undergo a tooth whitening treatment safely or effectively. People with the following conditions or circumstances may not be good candidates:

• Pregnant and lactating women
• Individuals with restorations such as fillings, implants, veneers, crowns, or bridges
• Children under 16 years of age
• Individuals suffering from periodontal disease, tooth decay, cavities, or exposed roots
• People who are allergic to teeth bleaching whitening agents like peroxide
• Individuals with sensitive teeth
• Those who seek unrealistic or blinding-white results

If you’re considering teeth whitening, it’s best to consult with your dentist to see if it’s right for you. They can perform a thorough examination and help you determine if you’re a good candidate for this treatment.

Although teeth whitening is considered safe, you may experience some side effects:

• Tooth sensitivity.
  Bleaching agents leave the teeth dehydrated and porous making the teeth sensitive to cold and hot temperature. This effect is transient as the teeth remineralizes and rehydrate. Some dentists recommend topical fluoride application to reduce the sensitivity.
• Irritated gums.
  The bleaching agent used in teeth whitening contain peroxide which can cause tissue burns. To avoid this, protective rubber sheets and gels can be used to prevent the bleaching solution from coming into contact with the gums. However, in some cases, some of the agents can still seep through the barrier. When this happens, you’ll notice whitening of the gums and pain. To address this, a drop or two of Vitamin E oil can be massaged over the area. Mild gum irritation usually resolves within 24 hours.

Your in-chair whitening treatment will begin with a dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar.
Removal of plaque and tartar will initially whiten your teeth and it will also ensure that there are no impurities present that may interfere with the bleaching agent’s access to the teeth.

After cleaning, retractors will be used to keep the lips and cheek away from the teeth. This will give a direct view of and access to the teeth to be whitened. A protective sheet or gel will be placed over the gums as well. Keep in mind that the bleaching agent used in in-chair teeth whitening is very potent. The cheeks, lips and gums must be kept from having any contact with the bleaching agent as it may cause tissue burns and whitening of these tissue as well.

Once the surrounding tissues are protected, the bleaching agent or gel will be applied over the front surfaces of the teeth. To activate the gel, the teeth will be exposed to a specialized blue light. This light can damage you eyes which is why goggles will be given to you to protect them.
The bleaching process can last for an hour.

Some patients may experience tooth sensitivity or gum irritation during or after in-chair teeth whitening. The level of discomfort varies depending on individual sensitivity, the condition of the teeth and the whitening method used. Your dentist will explain the potential risks before treatment and discuss the precautions taken to protect your teeth and gums. If sensitivity occurs, your dentist can advise you on appropriate ways to manage it.

Due to the wide variety of whitening options, the teeth bleaching results can last between six months and three years. For most cases, the results tend to last about a year. The differences in the longevity of the result is due to the different types of bleaching agent used as well as the lifestyle of the patient.

A person’s diet and oral hygiene habits are the two most important lifestyle factors that affect how long bleaching results lasts. The whitening results of patients who continuously smoke, drink coffee and tea may last for a minimum of six months. Afterwhich, they might need to have teeth whitening again. The teeth whitening results of patients who have poor oral hygiene also tend to last for a shorter period.

Teeth whitening can change the colour of natural teeth, but it does not alter their shape or correct alignment concerns. Results vary between patients, and the colour change may gradually diminish over time. Maintaining good oral hygiene and limiting exposure to staining substances, such as tobacco, coffee and tea, may help reduce new staining. Your dentist can advise you on suitable ongoing care following treatment.

• Avoid coffee, tea, and dark-coloured beverages:
  These beverages can stain your teeth, making them appear yellow or discoloured. If you can’t give them up entirely, try using a straw to drink them in order to avoid contact with your teeth.
• Brush and floss regularly:
  Be sure to brush at least twice a day and floss once a day. This will help remove plaque and other buildups that can cause stains.
• Use a whitening toothpaste:
  Whitening toothpastes contain special ingredients that help to remove surface stains and keep your teeth looking bright and sparkling.
• Quit smoking:
  In addition to the many other health benefits of quitting smoking, it will also help your teeth stay white.
• See your dentist regularly:
  Along with professional cleanings, your dentist can also offer additional treatments to help keep your smile bright.

By following these simple tips, you can help ensure that your whitened teeth stay looking their best.

Teeth whitening is a non-invasive procedure. However, despite its low risk, this procedure still carries certain risks that should be considered before going through with it.

• Tooth sensitivity:
  Bleaching agents cause the teeth to become porous making it sensitive to hot and cold temperature.
• Gum irritation:
  When the bleaching agent comes into contact with the gums, it causes tissue burn. When this happens, you will notice whitening of the gums.
• Tooth damage:
  Teeth may be damaged by bleaching agents that seep through the cracks and unfilled cavities of the teeth.
• Over-whitening:
  Sometimes people get a little obsessed with maintaining a bright smile and over-bleach their teeth. This can lead to more irritation and even pain.

Teeth whitening may lighten the colour of natural teeth, although the degree of change varies depending on the type of discolouration and individual dental health. Before choosing an in-chair or take-home whitening treatment, we recommend having your teeth and gums assessed by one of our dentists. They can explain the likely results, treatment limitations and potential risks, including tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.

Teeth whitening treatments are expensive for a variety of reasons. 

First, the materials required to perform the procedure are costly. Whitening gel, for example, is an important part of the treatment and can be quite pricey. In addition, the equipment required to perform the procedure is also expensive. Teeth whitening machines use high-powered lights to accelerate the whitening process, and these lights can be quite costly.

Secondly, in order to do it safely and effectively, dentists that provide teeth whitening treatments must have extensive training and experience to perform it correctly.

Finally, teeth whitening is often not covered by dental insurance, so patients have to pay the entire cost out of pocket. As a result, patients consider teeth whitening to be an expensive dental procedure.