It is not without reason that we call our teeth pearly whites. A bright smile is always deemed more attractive over teeth that are stained yellow or brown. There are a variety of products and procedures available on the market to improve the looks of your smile. But before you decide, you need to get some facts straight.
1. Whitening is safe
If carried out by a trained dental professional, tooth whitening is perfectly safe. Based on our knowledge of your oral health we will discuss with you the options available, decide if tooth whitening is appropriate for you and develop an overall treatment plan that gives the desired result.
2. Only trained dental professionals can whiten teeth
It is illegal for anyone other than dentists or their team to carry out tooth whitening. Anyone else offering tooth whitening (e.g. beauticians, hairdressers and salon staff) won’t have the right training and knowledge. It could permanently damage your teeth and gums and they can’t help you if something goes wrong.
3. The preferred option
Tooth whitening does not remove the surface of your teeth or change their shape. It’s often the better option than alternatives, such as veneers or crowns, because it doesn’t involve permanently altering the tooth structure.
4. Selecting the right product for you
We are trained to know what whitening products will be safe for your teeth and gums. Products provided by non-dentist often do not have enough safety data and evidence to support their use; this can result in burned gums and/or blistered lips or even more serious consequences. Using products that are not appropriate for you will produce poor results.
5. How it works
A carefully controlled concentration of tooth whitening gel is applied to your teeth using specially-made trays that fit in your mouth. We will be able to discuss with you the level of whitening you want and give you an idea of how long the treatment should be carried out to achieve the shade you’re after.
6. What to expect during treatment
You may experience some sensitivity for a short time during your treatment but this is normal and will soon fade away after completion.
7. Over the counter, kits may not be safe
The products you can buy online or from high street shops often fail to declare the precise chemicals used so it’s very difficult to assess their safety. Because of this, they should not be considered safe. These products won’t produce the same good results you can expect by visiting us.
