Teeth Whitening

Whitening at home for 3 weeks does the same damage to enamel as drinking 1 can of coke. There is no evidence that it has any effect on the nerves or root surfaces of teeth.

Tens of millions of people have had this form of treatment since its introduction in 1998 and there has been no evidence of any link to any other diseases such as cancer in the rest of the body.

50% of people have mild sensitivity during whitening, 10% have moderate sensitivity, 4% have severe sensitivity. Normally more severe sensitivity occurs when patients have recession of their gums, which exposes the roots of their teeth, or when people use too much or too strong whitening gel. Very few people find their teeth are so sensitive that they need to stop whitening and in almost all cases sensitivity is transitory and settles down after treatment.

If you have never whitened before, the average response is 8 shades lighter on a dental shade guide or to shade A1 (we can show you what this means on a shade guide).

The tips of your teeth will whiten first, then the bases will catch up. Most people get the maximum whiteness after 3-6 weeks.

No. It will cause whitening to occur quicker, but it will also cause more sensitivity.

Studies have shown that 98% of people are satisfied with results. When discolouration is severe, such as tetracycline staining, this drops to 86%.

Your teeth will look their best for 2-3 years. After 18 months 25% of the colour change will be lost. After 3 years 50% of the colour change will be lost. It is at this stage most people decide to whiten again.

Normally people tend to re-whiten for about a week every 2 years. We will be happy to sell you further whitening gel once we have checked that your mouth is still healthy.

No. Coloured foods will not affect the process, however be aware that some mouthwashes (particularly chlorhexidine), some drinks (such as tea, coffee, red wine, and coke), and some foods (curry, beetroot, and colourings), will cause your teeth to stain again.

No, only natural teeth. It is likely that restorations will need to be replaced if they do not match after whitening at further cost, which we can quote you for in advance.

No. The top and bottom teeth can be whitened at the same time.

Whitening toothpaste can remove surface staining on teeth. If you drink a lot of tea, coffee, or red wine then it may help. It does not however penetrate the tooth to lighten it from the inside. Only professionally prescribed dental whitening gel is able to do this.

The only dental whitening gel able to lighten your teeth from the inside is a prescription medicine which cannot be on general sale. Any supermarket kits will not have sufficient amounts of the active ingredient to be effective.

If the gel you are buying contains an active ingredient that will work safely, it’s sale is illegal other than by a dentist. This is because you need to be assessed to make sure treatment will be safe and that you are using the correct whitening gel. Any fake gels may at best do nothing to your teeth but some are very acidic and may harm your teeth.

It is a legal requirement that a dentist assesses you first before supplying whitening gel for both new and top up treatment. This is to make sure whitening will be safe and so that we can provide you with the correct whitening gel. Please bring your trays in and we can check you are suitable and that the trays still fit.

Most people do experience sensitivity at the start. Don’t worry it will go away once whitening has finished. It may be worth trying alternative nights. Applying sensitive toothpaste to your teeth for 3 minutes before and after whitening can help. This can be purchased from reception.

This is common but they will fade after treatment is completed.

Often the tips of your teeth will whiten quicker than the bases due to the tooth thickness. Do not worry and keep whitening and the base of your teeth will catch up. Sometimes very white areas of your teeth can become whiter initially due to dehydration. Once you finish whitening this will fade.