Currently teeth whitening is one of the most sought after cosmetic dental treatments in the UK . Infact 40% of all adults in the UK have considered teeth whitening to improve their smiles.
Here are some important facts about teeth whitening to help choose the right treatment and dentist;
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What you eat affects how white your teeth will be. Coffee, tea, red wine , food colorants can stain your teeth. Also smoking is a well-known cause for tooth discoloration and staining.
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Tartar-hardened plaque will affect the colour of the teeth as it is rough and gathers more stains than a smooth tooth surface.
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Some people may have internal tooth discoloration as the result of being given antibiotics in childhood.
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Your genes will determine the natural whiteness of teeth. Some races have whiter teeth and some darker.
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Professional teeth whitening can lighten the natural shade of the teeth. The ‘active ingredient’ in the whitening product is mainly hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. As the active ingredient breaks down, it releases radical oxygen which can penetrate into the enamel and whiten the tooth.
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The effects of whitening can last up to three years. However, it varies from person to person and depends on the amount of tea, coffee and red wine they take. Individuals may need a touch-up every now and then to maintain the whiteness of their teeth.
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In the UK teeth whitening can only be legally performed by a dentist. Therefore, getting your teeth whitened by beauticians, or in whitening kiosks, is against the law. It could expose you to dangerous products and cause lasting damage to teeth and gums. The damage can vary from discolouration of the gums to severe burns and tooth sensitivity and damage to the dental nerve.
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In the UK, over-the-counter teeth whitening products, strips and tooth pastes can only legally contain 0.1% hydrogen peroxide. This concentration is too low to have any noticeable effect on the colour of the teeth.
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Tooth whitening can only lighten your existing tooth colour and won’t be able to get rid of deep stains. It also does not change the whiteness of fillings or restorations.
- You have to be 18 or over to be able to have your teeth whitened.
Top three tooth whitening tips
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Don’t purchase teeth whitening products online. While the prices might make it tempting, it is difficult to guarantee the product ingredients, and this puts your safety at risk. It is much harder to police companies and products online, so you cannot be sure they are regulated and of the highest standards. The best way to know that tooth whitening products are safe is to check with your dentist first.
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Dentists can treat you with 6% hydrogen peroxide (the bleaching agent that whitens teeth) – this is nearly 6,000 times stronger than any over-the-counter tooth whitening product. Because of this, teeth whitening by a dentist will give you the very best results.
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Don’t put yourself at risk. It is illegal for anyone other than a qualified dental professional such as a dentist to provide the tretament. Any beauticians that claim to offer a teeth whitening service are breaking the law. By having your teeth whitened by a dentist you can rest assured that you are getting a good quality service and that they are operating within the strict guidelines of the law. When teeth whitening goes wrong, it can result in long-lasting or permanent damage.
At Caspian Dental Clinic, we pride ourselves of offering the very best results by using the best products within a relaxed and safe environment, so that you can smile inside and out. Call us on 01923 254979 .
