Teeth whitening: what you need to know about how to whiten your teeth

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular treatments for patients who want to improve the aesthetic of their smile, as well as their confidence. Nowadays, there are numerous types of treatments for teeth whitening available, including professional whitening at the dentist, or at home. In this article, we explain how tooth whitening treatments work and why it is important to seek advice from an experienced professional before starting.

What is teeth whitening?

If you’re curious about what teeth whitening is, in this section, we’ll explain more about the treatment.

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry treatment that lightens the colour of the teeth by one or more shades, helps remove stains and gets rid of yellow teeth, improving the overall appearance of the smile.

Every patient is unique, and so is every set of teeth. Therefore, the results of teeth whitening will differ from one person to the next.

Patients should have realistic expectations before undergoing tooth whitening treatment. Even though the large majority will achieve a visibly whiter and brighter smile, sometimes depending on the natural colour of the enamel, accomplishing a perfectly white shade isn’t possible. However, for most patients, teeth whitening is a great way to get rid of yellow teeth!

Why are my teeth yellow?

If you ask yourself, “Why are my teeth yellow?”, here we outline the possible causes of yellow teeth. Before understanding how whitening works, it is important to know what causes yellow teeth so that you are better equipped to keep your teeth whiter for longer after treatment.

• Natural teeth colour: we all have a different natural shade of enamel that, in healthy teeth, ranges from yellow to white.
• Age: Over the years, teeth tend to yellow and darken due to wear and accumulation of stains. As a result, teeth bleaching may become increasingly difficult, but not impossible, as time passes.
  
• Translucency: Genetics and the shape and size of the teeth can play a role in the causes of yellow teeth. The thicker and more opaque the teeth are, the whiter they tend to be. On the other hand, thinner and more transparent teeth tend to appear more yellow and are also more difficult to whiten.
  
• Eating habits: Tea, coffee, wine and other highly-pigmented foods gradually stain the teeth, turning them yellow or greyish. Additionally, acidic foods directly attack the enamel which causes the surface of the tooth to become thinner and thus more yellow in appearance.
  
• Tobacco: Cigarettes are not only an enemy of our general health, but also of our oral health. Nicotine gradually stains and discolours the teeth.
  
• Trauma: A tooth that has been damaged may appear darker than others.
  

Can I get my teeth whitened? Find out whether teeth whitener will work for you

A common question amongst those with severe discolouration, those with certain dental health conditions, or people who have had a cosmetic dental procedure is, “Can I get my teeth whitened?”. In this section we’ll outline some of the cases where teeth whitening may not be suitable:

• Severe discolouration and staining:
  When a patient has severe staining or yellow teeth, it’s likely that a teeth bleaching treatment will not work or will make little difference. Therefore, it’s worth consulting with a dentist before undergoing a teeth whitening treatment so that they can advise whether it will be worth your time, or whether a cosmetic treatment like dental bonding or veneers might be ideal for you.
  
• Teeth sensitivity:
  If you suffer from very sensitive teeth, professional or at-home teeth whitening treatments can cause further sensitivity or irritation in the teeth and gums.
  
• Dental bonding, veneers, crowns or fillings:
  The materials that are used for tooth fillings, crowns, veneers and dental bonding do not respond to whitening treatments. Therefore these teeth will remain the same colour, while your natural teeth will become whiter, creating inconsistencies in the overall appearance of the teeth. If you have had one of these treatments but want to achieve a whiter smile, you should consult with your dentist to see what your options are. You could whiten your natural teeth to your desired shade but then your bonds, veneers or crowns would need to be replaced to match, which can be quite costly.
  

Types of teeth whitening

When it comes to achieving a whiter smile, you have a few options. Each method has its own strength; some are more effective than others, and some are more efficient. Here we will expand on each of them so you can find the best fit for you.

Professional laser teeth whitening with a dentist

Professional laser teeth whitening is one of the best ways to get whiter teeth and is often done in a single session at the dentist. Laser whitening involves applying a whitening product to your teeth and exposing them to LED light.

The LED light activates the agents in the whitening gel and helps them penetrate the tooth for immediate results. However, it is important to know that the laser technique cannot achieve a brilliant white on severely stained teeth.

Teeth whitening with moulds at home

It’s also possible to whiten teeth in various stages at home by using teeth-whitening moulds - always under the supervision of your dentist. Your dental specialist will prescribe you a teeth whitening gel and explain how to use it at home and how to care for your teeth while doing so. Depending on the colour of your enamel and the nature of your teeth, they should direct you to the product that best matches your needs.

Your dentist should also indicate the suggested length of use and how often you should repeat the teeth whitening procedure. Teeth whitening with moulds requires several sessions at home to obtain a whiter smile.

Combined teeth whitening with a dentist

Between these two types of teeth whitening, the way to get the best results is by doing both treatments! For the most efficient and long-lasting results, it is recommended to alternate between professional laser whitening and whitening with moulds at home, combining both types of teeth whitening.

Your dentist should advise you on how to proceed and on the number of sessions required to obtain your desired result

How to get whiter teeth: how does teeth whitening work?

If you’re wondering how teeth whitening works, in this section we’ll explain what hydrogen peroxide is and what it does to get rid of yellow teeth.

Regardless of the type of treatment you choose, teeth whitening works by applying a hydrogen peroxide-based gel. This gel can be made from hydrogen peroxide itself or from carbamide peroxide, which decomposes into hydrogen peroxide.

But how does this work to get rid of yellow teeth and achieve white teeth? These substances work by being absorbed into the pores of the enamel and penetrating the inner layers, whitening the teeth from the inside.

It is important to remember that hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening or any other teeth bleaching treatment should always be carried out under the supervision of an experienced dental or healthcare professional. Your teeth should first be checked by a dentist to determine whether they are suitable for a teeth whitening treatment.

Is teeth whitening safe? The risks involved with teeth whitening at home

While teeth whitening is safe if carried out correctly and supervised by your dentist or a healthcare professional, the potential risks and side effects involved are heightened if the treatment is unsupervised.

Below we list some of the possible risks and side effects of using teeth whitening kits that have not been approved by a dentist or medical professional:

• Results that aren’t what you expected or desired
• Gum irritation
  
• Damaged or weakened enamel
  
• Increased sensitivity in the teeth
  
• Allergic reactions
  

Therefore, you should avoid the temptation of kits that are sold online and that are a lot cheaper than the teeth whitening treatment that your dentist offers, as you could be putting your oral health at risk.

However, professional teeth whitening is safe when carried out under the supervision of a dentist.

How to take care of your dental health after teeth whitening

When you have a teeth whitening treatment with a dental professional, they’ll likely give you some aftercare tips so that you can keep your teeth as white as possible. However, below we’ll provide you with some further tips on how to care for your dental health after teeth whitening:

• Brush your teeth using a fluoride toothpaste and floss daily to ensure you don’t accumulate any food or bacteria that can stain your teeth.
• Visit your dental specialist for cleanings regularly to take care of your teeth after your whitening treatment.
  
• Avoid foods and drinks like coffee, red wine, soy sauce and dark berries as these can cause your teeth to stain.
  
• Give up or cut down on smoking as tobacco is one of the main causes of yellow teeth.
  

Teeth whitening cost in the UK: how much is it?

If you’re wondering how much teeth whitening is in the UK, the answer is that the cost may vary depending on your specific location, the type of treatment and equipment used, as well as the experience and reputation of your dentist.

Below we outline the cost of teeth whitening in the UK according to the type of treatment:

• On average, the cost of a professional laser teeth whitening treatment tends to fall between £500 and £1,500. In some cases, this price also includes a kit to take home so that you can maintain the colour of your teeth. However, you should consult with your dentist beforehand to find out what the cost of your treatment includes.
• Professional kits for teeth whitening at home using moulds typically cost between £150 and £700.
  

Align and whiten your teeth at Impress

Looking for a brighter and whiter smile? You can find professional teeth whitening treatments at many of our Impress clinics, where our expert doctors can assess your case and personalise your treatment so that you can achieve the best results quickly and safely.

Furthermore, at Impress we specialise in orthodontic treatments using clear teeth aligners, so if, in addition to a whiter smile, you also want more aligned teeth, you can get in touch to find out more about our treatments.

To find out whether your nearest Impress clinic offers teeth whitening, or to find out more about our aligner treatments, you can book a complimentary consultation through our website, by phone at +44 20 3808 1072 , or via WhatsApp.