Who can whiten your teeth?
Only a qualified dentist or regulated dental professional such as a dental hygienist or dental therapist (under prescription of a dentist) can legally whiten your teeth.
Do over-the-counter Home Whitening Kits work?
These kinds of whitening kits can help remove light stains but can not ‘whiten’ your teeth as effectively as the systems used by dental professionals. This is because they are not legally permitted to contain a strong enough bleaching agent as this can be very harmful if used incorrectly.
Are there any side effects?
You may experience sensitivity in your teeth after treatment and a mild burning sensation on your gums.
Remember the whitening kits use a bleaching agent.
Done professionally, how long does the whitening last?
The whitening can last from a few months up to three years depending on your teeth and your eating/drinking habits.
Consuming a lot of coffee, tea and red wine will stain your teeth quicker over time. Smoking also will discolour your teeth faster.
Does Teeth Whitening work on everyone?
Teeth whitening works on the majority of people. However it does not work on dentures, veneers, crowns or fillings. If you already have teeth sensitivity check with your dentist to see if you are suitable.
Why are my teeth not white in the first place?
Adult teeth are there for life. That means they have to endure a lifetime of eating, drinking and smoking all the things that discolour and stain teeth. The main culprits are tea, coffee, red wine and smoking.
Do I have to do anything special after I have my teeth whitened?
The whitening agent leaves your tooth enamel porous for a period after whitening. Therefore it’s very important to avoid eating and drinking anything dark that may discolour your teeth for 48 hours after the whitening treatment. The usual culprits are tea, coffee, red wine, curries, dark pasta sauce, and of course, smoking. It is especially important to brush and floss your teeth thoroughly during this period.
Is tooth whitening safe?
As long as it’s carried out by a qualified dental professional you’ll see longer-lasting, safe results. If you are considering whitening your teeth you can further your research by reading about our teeth whitening systems. If you have any questions or concerns please message us.