Are you suitable for teeth whitening?

What goes best with those holiday snaps? A shining, white smile of course!

Ditch the ineffective DIY- methods and join us for £100 off all in-surgery whitening treatments until 31st August 2023.

 

Teeth whitening in London is a relatively simple procedure that can make an enormous difference – correcting not only the appearance of the teeth but the self-esteem of patients too!

But are you suitable for teeth whitening procedures?

Read our handy guide to find out everything you need to know about teeth whitening, regardless of your individual dental circumstance, once and for all.

Can teeth whitening damage teeth?

If done correctly, teeth whitening shouldn’t damage your teeth at all.

However, if you use inappropriate chemicals or black-market kits, you can do irreversible damage to the structure of your teeth while trying to improve their appearance.

Most whitening treatments use one of two chemical agents carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide – to create an oxidation reaction with the tooth enamel to break apart the staining.

Safe levels of these chemicals, including hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), can and have been used during in-office teeth whitening treatments for over a hundred years. However, as at-home whitening kits have increased in popularity, their safety has become a cause of controversy and concern, because they often have unsafe levels of chemicals or poorly fitting trays (which hold the whitener to the teeth), or both.

To ensure your whitening procedure is safe, the General Dental Council (GDC) have published guidance which outlines exactly what strength chemicals teeth whitening treatments can use – including over-the-counter or online treatments.

• Whitening products containing over 6% hydrogen peroxide (or similar) are illegal.
• Products containing 0.1% – 6% hydrogen peroxide (or similar) can only be administered by a registered dental professional, after a clinical examination, for the minimum amount of time necessary during treatment.
• At-home whitening in any form, including toothpastes, strips, or rinses, can only contain up to 0.1% hydrogen peroxide (or similar).

Teeth whitening for sensitive teeth

If you have pre-existing sensitivity, teeth whitening can worsen your current symptoms as the whitening agents can soak through the enamel exposing the nerves in the dentin beneath.

To get around this, it is important you choose a whitening treatment designed specifically for sensitive teeth, to ensure your teeth are not negatively impacted by the whitening chemicals.

Nu Radiance Duet is an in-chair treatment favoured by various famous faces that deliver fast whitening results (even on darker stains) with very little sensitivity.

Nu Radiance Duet also utilises a brightening gel that contains Xylitol, which can prevent cavities by killing the harmful bacteria in plaque and tartar and strengthens the tooth itself by repairing damaged enamel and remineralising teeth.

This option is ideal for those with pre-existing sensitivity, but also works very well for patients without that want to improve their tooth shade without damaging their teeth.

Teeth whitening and composite bonding

Also called cosmetic bonding, composite bonding is a treatment used to restore a damaged or discoloured smile. By applying a long-lasting malleable resin to the teeth, the appearance of the teeth can be improved without the need for separate whitening treatments.

Composite bonding is an easy way to whiten the teeth and correct more serious complications such as chips or cracks, and if cared for well, can last for around 4-8 years or more.

It is important to note that whitening the teeth after composite bonding can result in mixed results, as the natural teeth whiten, while the resin will not. As such, if you are looking to achieve the best results, you could consider whitening your natural teeth prior to your composite bonding treatment – ask our professionals about this if you need more advice.

Teeth whitening with crowns and veneers

Considering crowns or veneers to improve the appearance of your smile?

Veneers are thin discs, similar to contact lenses, that cover the front of the tooth, while a crown covers the entire surface of the tooth – front, back, and sides.

As well as correcting more complex dental problems including worn, chipped, gapped, or crooked teeth, covering the teeth with crowns or veneers can make your smile much whiter and shinier.

These dental restoration methods can last decades if looked after carefully, with porcelain veneers and crowns lasting on average 10-15 years before they need to be replaced.

Teeth whitening and braces

If you are undergoing orthodontic treatment, your whitening options will depend on the straightening system you have chosen.

Traditional braces

For those with permanent or wired braces, it is best to whiten the teeth after you have had your appliances removed. This is because the oxidation chemicals can’t reach all of the tooth’s surface, thanks to the wires and brackets applied to straighten your smile.

Whitening treatment undertaken while you are still wearing braces can result in uneven shades, and leave duller, less white patches under the brace accessories.

Lingual braces or aligners

Orthodontic patients with removable straightening treatments, like Invisalign™, or those with lingual braces (that have the wires and brackets of traditional braces applied to the backs of the teeth) can indulge in both in-chair or at-home whitening treatments.

This is because the whitening chemicals can reach the front, sides, and some of the backs of teeth effectively, and any areas missed will be at the back of the tooth – so nobody will see any uneven patches anyway!

Choose The London Centre for Cosmetic Dentistry for a beautiful, white smile

No matter the event or the outfit, your best accessory is a healthy, white smile.

With decades of cosmetic dentistry experience and throngs of celebrity clients, the team here at LCCD are confident they can give whiter smiles to any patient – no matter their unique dental circumstance.

To find out how we can help you improve your smile and your self-esteem, book a consultation to discuss your options. You can call us on 0207 722 1235 or fill in our easy contact form and we will get back to you to book you in.