The Truth About Tooth Whitening
We are often asked questions about tooth-whitening. Here are some of the most common ones.
Do whitening toothpastes lighten teeth?
Most whitening toothpastes do nothing. Some toothpastes bought abroad or over the internet contain harsh abrasives and acids and can actually cause damage to the teeth. For whitening toothpastes to have any effect they need to be in close contact with the tooth surface for at least 15 minutes and that cannot happen with a mouthwash or toothpaste.
Can I buy over the counter whitening gels to use with my trays?
We recommend that you never use a shop or internet bought whitening product for two reasons. Firstly, it is very unlikely that you will be able to buy a product with the correct strength of whitening agent to have any noticeable effect on your teeth. Secondly, there are products available to buy which can actually harm your teeth. Safe and effective treatments are only available from dental professionals and should only be prescribed after a careful assessment of your teeth.
Are all whitening systems the same?
No, some are significantly better than others. The choice of whitening product is important and they must be used correctly to achieve predictable results. This is why we assess you carefully for whitening treatments and spend time showing you how to use home whitening systems properly.
Is power whitening the best method for whitening teeth?
Not necessarily. Research consistently shows that teeth whiten most predictably using a tray system over a period of time. In addition, the whitening is more likely to last longer with the tray system than with power whitening. In most cases we will recommend a home system. Power whitening does have a place, and we use it most often when a quick result is required or our patient is unlikely to persevere with the home system for the required length of time. We always recommend a home system to reinforce and maintain power whitening treatments.
Does whitening damage tooth enamel?
No. Long term studies show clearly that the hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide gels that we use to whiten teeth are very gentle to tooth structure. The effect of a course of tooth whitening is no more significant than drinking one can of fizzy drink.
I’ve worried that my teeth will become sensitive with whitening. How can I prevent this.
Approximately 60% of people experience sensitive teeth as a side effect of whitening. Provided your teeth are healthy to start with, this effect is totally reversible and does not signify damage to the nerve of the tooth. The nerves inside the tooth are simply stimulated by the movement of oxygen molecules through the tooth during whitening and this is felt as sensitivity. In most cases the symptoms are mild and disappear within a couple of days of stopping treatment. The tooth whitening systems we use cause low degrees of sensitivity and we will give you advice on effective ways of managing sensitivity should you experience it.
Does everyone get the same results?
No they don’t. The younger you are the easier it is to whiten your teeth. Older teeth with thin enamel or dark stains can be more difficult. Extremely stained teeth such as those affected by the antibiotic tetracycline can be challenging. It is possible to achieve good results with these types of stains, however many weeks of treatment may be required.
