Teeth Whitening

A naturally flawless smile is hard to come by, so most people with perfect white teeth have probably had a little help along the way. Stained or discoloured teeth can really dent a persons confidence, so there’s no harm in using modern technology to get your smile back – especially when there are numerous pain-free ways in which to do that, and many expert teeth whitening dentists waiting to help you at the Pearl Dental Clinic in London.

What is teeth whitening?

This uncomplicated procedure is exactly what it sounds like; a treatment to remove stains and whiten teeth. It has become very popular over the last decade, as more and more people strive for the ‘Hollywood’ smile, which is perfectly white and straight. Teeth whitening is frequently used as a single solution to discoloured dentures, but can also be part of an entire dental overhaul – known as a ‘smile makeover’.

Why would I need it?

There are lots of reasons why your teeth can become stained or dull in appearance, all of which can be reversed with a teeth whitening procedure.

Probably the most common cause of discoloured teeth is what you put in your mouth. Food and drink with strong colours are the main culprits, such as tea or coffee, red wine, and curry. The dark colours present are too tough for the enamel to withstand and the teeth are left stained as a result. Smoking is another particularly harmful habit, the nicotine and other strong chemicals will yellow the teeth very quickly, whilst at the same time preventing oxygen getting to the gums and causing all sorts of other problems.

Fractured or damaged teeth are also vulnerable to discolouration. If the nerve endings or blood vessels have been impaired, the tooth in question may start to look darker.
Unfortunately, the other most common reason for your teeth taking on a darker shade is something none of us can avoid; the passing of time. Just like most other parts of the body, teeth are susceptible to the aging process; they will become darker or develop a yellow tint. Whilst this is a natural occurrence in almost everyone, teeth whitening can help bring back a radiant smile and make you feel young again.

Will it really make that much difference?

It’s no secret that teeth whitening treatments can be highly effective, sometimes lightening by eight shades or more. If you’re not familiar with the procedure this might not sound like a lot, but consider that if even one or two shades make a visible difference – eight would be a very big change.
How much you teeth will whiten depends on two things; what type of procedure you have, and what condition your teeth were in beforehand. There are lots of different kinds of teeth whitening treatments available for you to use at home, but if you want to see an instant improvement, the best thing you can do is book yourself an appointment and leave it to the professionals. If you’ve kept your teeth in relatively good condition before the procedure, you can expect to see dramatic results with today’s revolutionary whitening methods.

What are the different treatments?

Home-kits are a budget option that you could try, they usually involve a gum tray and some peroxide based gel. They are fairly easy to use, but can cause problems if left in too long or if the gel comes in contact with the gums. Home treatments are definitely cheaper, but the results will be far from instant – it can sometimes take weeks to see any real change in shade. A kit provided by your dentist will do a much better and faster job, but they still won’t lighten your teeth by more than three or four shades.
There are other products you can buy over the counter at your nearest pharmacy or cosmetics store, such as whitening toothpastes or chewing gum. They cost very little in comparison to a full treatment, but won’t make a lot of difference if you’ve got some deep stains to deal with. Whilst they may be more effective than normal toothpastes or gum, you won’t see any dramatic changes in the colour of your teeth, as they don’t contain any bleach. Teeth whitening strips do contain bleach, but will still take some time to yield results, depending on how strong they are.
The most widely-used type of whitening treatment takes place in the dentists surgery, using a sophisticated gel and light technique that breaks down the stains, restoring the teeth to their natural whiteness and beyond. In comparison to home-kits, a professional whitening treatment is streets ahead, both with results and time frame. Instant results make this the most popular option, and with return appointments even the worst cases can see their teeth lightened by eight shades or more. You might find that this procedure is a little bit more expensive than some home-kits on the market, but the results speak for themselves – it’s worth the extra investment.

Do all whitening gels have bleach in them?

Most gels or whitening products that really make a difference to the colour of the teeth will have some level of bleach in them – this is what breaks down the stains on the enamel and enhances the natural whiteness of the teeth. Other kits that focus on abrasives to scrub the stains away can be too harsh on the surface of the tooth, and can damage the gums if used too vigorously. Most products will have from ten to twenty percent peroxide in them; this is why it shouldn’t be allowed to rest on the delicate gum area during the treatment.

Will it hurt?

Although it takes place in a dental surgery, the procedure itself is not technically a surgery, no scalpels or needles should be necessary because it alters the teeth cosmetically and is not invasive. This doesn’t mean it will be totally pain-free, but at the most you may feel some discomfort or sensitivity during and after that shouldn’t last more than a few days. If you’re worried about any pain, there are numbing gels that you can take home with you, just ask your dentist.