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.

Despite patients’ concerns that whitening treatment will hurt, it is actually painless. The procedure may cause a slight tingling sensation or a slight warmth, but don’t worry, this will not harm your teeth! After the whitening procedure is completed, your teeth will be rinsed and you’ll be able to go home with your new smile.

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.

Many people whiten their teeth in order to achieve a brighter, more youthful smile. While whitening can be a great way to boost your confidence, it’s important to note that it is not a permanent solution. In order to maintain your whitened teeth, you will need to take some extra care when it comes to your eating habits and oral hygiene routine. Here are a few tips:

• 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.

When done properly, teeth whitening can significantly improve your smile and boost your confidence. In any case, we strongly recommend that you consult with our dentists before choosing any teeth whitening method, whether at home, or in the office.

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.