How To Whiten Your Teeth For A Brighter Smile

There are several ways your teeth can start to appear more brown or yellow than perhaps they used to be. This is common, and can be caused by things like tobacco consumption, intense colour pigments in coffee and red wine, age and tooth injuries.

When you come in to get your teeth whitening kit at the Gentle Dental Centre, you’ll first need to talk to your dentist about whether whitening is right for you. Some forms of discolouration, such as trauma to the teeth or colour change from medication, may not respond well to traditional whitening techniques. If the decision is made to go ahead, we can discuss your choices.

The main option for teeth whitening when you come in to the dentist is a home teeth whitening kit. The home bleaching process involves applying a protective gel or rubber fitting similar to a mouth guard over your teeth to ensure the chemicals are only applied where they are needed. You will then brush either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide (bleach) onto your teeth and leave it there for an appropriate amount of time. The chemicals will break down the stains in your tooth enamel, bleaching it and making it appear whiter.

This process is done in a from the comfort of your own home, and can make all the difference in bringing the shine out in your smile. While there are many options for whitening teeth, sometimes a certain treatment will not be right for you. These instances include the possibility that the colour of your teeth will not bleach well, resulting in an undesirable colour or effect. Whitening also does not work on fillings and caps, which is important to take into account when making a decision. We can also talk you through other methods such as whitening an individual discoloured tooth.

Some people may experience side effects to teeth whitening. These include tooth sensitivity, when the peroxide in the bleach gets through to the softer and more sensitive dentin underneath your tooth enamel. This is uncommon though, and usually decreases in the days after whitening. Overuse of whiteners can damage your teeth too, so be sure to consult your dentist or oral hygienist before going through with home teeth whitening kits or whitening toothpastes.

After you’ve had your teeth whitened, there are several easy ways of maintaining whiteness for as long as possible. Obviously, regular oral care such as brushing and flossing regularly go a long way toward keeping your teeth whiter for longer – fluoride toothpaste is often recommended for best results. Smoking, as well as strongly pigmented drinks (mentioned above) are also good things to cut down on as they are some of the primary culprits in discolouration making a comeback!

Whatever your teeth whitening needs, the team in at Gentle Dental are well equipped and happy to advise as to the best course of treatment for you. Come in and visit for advice on teeth whitening, as well as all your other dental care enquiries.

To learn more about this please feel free to call us and talk to one of our friendly staff or you can simply book an appointment here.