The main ingredient in bleaching called carbamide peroxide has been around since 1960’s and was first used in newborns for management of thrush! Its use can also be found to improve gum health and arrest decay. It can be used safely for several months! It’s a myth that whitening damages enamel.

Under EU cosmetic regulations 2009 only upto 0.1% hydrogen peroxide can be directly sold to consumers whilst anything above this must be sold to dental practitioners not retail.

This means the product you buy via retail like strips or toothpastes will not be as effective 😐

Whitening works to lighten the colour of the natural tooth, any filling, crown, veneer, implant will not change colour.

Whitening however works well to lift staining around crown, filling and composite bonding margins.

Small amounts of sensitivity are not uncommon. As part of your treatment, I will assess your teeth and determine if any areas are more likely to be sensitive. If so anti-sensitive serum can be applied to the tooth to minimise sensitivity and anti-sensitive toothpaste can be prescribed to you.

It is suggested that to ensure long lasting whitening results that foods, drinks and smoking that result in staining are minimised.

Common teeth staining foods include:

• Red wine, coffee, tea

• Ketchup

• Turmeric

Teeth will naturally undergo a slight relapse following completion of whitening and reach a stabilisation phase. Longevity will depend on diet, social factor such as smoking and alcohol intake and oral hygiene. For most people you can expect 1-3 years.

Regular Top ups every 3-6 months with top-up whitening gels can help prolong your results.

The results depend on many factors including the current shade of your teeth, the quality of the tooth enamel, how compliant you are, your diet and oral hygiene.

Usually shade improvement is noticeable to the eye within the first two weeks, with an average patient jumping two shades brighter. Teeth have a natural bleaching potential. This is a physical limit to how white they can brighten naturally.

An oral hygiene appointment is ideal to provide a clean surface to maximise the results of whitening. A session prior to beginning whitening is strongly recommended.

The mouth must be healthy prior to whitening. Therefore, if there is any tooth decay, gum disease or any other issues these need sorting first. Whitening is contraindicated in pregnant or nursing mothers and those with allergies to peroxide.