Want whiter teeth? You are not alone. It is without doubt the most popular cosmetic procedure in the UK today. But is it a simple case of treating yourself to a new fancy whitening toothpaste? Abracadabra you’ve got yourself a Holly Willoughby smile? Or perhaps you’ve heard about whitening strips? Easy to buy off the internet and a steal at around £50, but do they work and are they dangerous?

It’s important to consider all of your options when looking to whiten your teeth. In this article, we go over the top 5 things people rarely know about tooth whitening. You’ll find out what to expect and be able to make an informed tooth whitening choice…

1) Your teeth might not all end up the same colour

Most people’s teeth are slightly different shades. For example, your canine teeth are darker than the rest of your teeth and your bottom teeth may be darker than your top teeth (pause to look in the mirror). There are literally hundreds of different shades of teeth and each tooth could have a combination of 3 or 4 shades on just one tooth! So whilst whitening your teeth can help to achieve a more uniform colour. It’s unlikely that every tooth will be the exact same shade.

2) Sensitive teeth? You should have a dental health check before any tooth whitening treatment

Suffering from sensitivity could be a sign of an underlying problem. Having sensitive teeth isn’t a deal breaker when it comes to tooth whitening, but it does mean a little extra caution is required. If your teeth are okay but you simply have sensitivity, your dentist can help with desensitising treatments.

3) Whitening strips vs whitening trays

Teeth whitening gels work best when they’re concentrated but whitening strips allow for saliva to mix with the gel and get diluted. Teeth also tend to be darker near the gum line, where the strips can’t reach. It’s best to invest in some custom made tooth whitening trays, to give you the best results.

4) Over the counter whitening products don’t work the way you think they do

Generally shop/internet bought whitening products work in one of two ways – they either scrub away at surface stain which can be abrasive and also remove the enamel along with some staining. Or they can dehydrate the teeth making them temporarily appear whiter than they are.

5) Whitening your teeth isn’t a one off treatment

Even with the best tooth whitening procedure available, your teeth over time will become darker. Everyday eating and drinking will gradually make teeth darker. The best way to keep your teeth bright and white is to keep up with regular tooth whitening top ups.

Our advice

Whilst investing in a professional tooth whitening treatment with your dentist may seem more expensive than high street options, it’s often false economy as it doesn’t give you noticeable results and could be doing more harm than good.

Investing in a proper tooth whitening system can cost as little as £325 with top ups costing just £49 a year. The difference… safe, effective tooth whitening with results that will last.

Click to read about Enlighten Tooth Whitening…