Effective Teeth Whitening

A look at the various methods currently available.

There is something of a misconception by some people that regular brushing of the teeth will ensure that we have white teeth into our old age.

Although this brushing will certainly play a major role in keeping our teeth strong and healthy, unfortunately, discolouration is something that most of us will suffer from, the older we get.

Whilst lifestyle choices can play a role in how quickly this discolouration occurs (smoking, red wine etc), the reality is that the inner part of our teeth naturally becomes darker as we get older, leaving the teeth with a yellowing appearance.

Whitening toothpastes

At Mike Allen’s Dental Practice, we are often asked about the teeth whitening toothpastes that are advertised on tv, and how effective they are.

Whilst we have no reason to discourage our dental patients from Burton Upon Trent from using these toothpastes, providing that they are a reputable brand, we feel that it is our duty to point out that any results gained from them are likely to be minimal.

This is due to the safety regulations which limit the amount of the active whitening ingredient allowed in these pastes.

As the agent is a form of bleach, it is not surprising that the health regulators want to keep this danger away from children especially. This does mean though that the effects are very limited when it comes to teeth whitening.

Whitening at home

There are a number of suggestions on the internet that lemon juice whites your teeth. We would be cautious about doing this as citric acid can cause damage to the enamel of the teeth and even lead to more staining.

Teeth whitening kits also, can be bought from chemists and these are more effective than toothpastes as the restrictions are less.

There is a downside to this though as a side effect of the higher concentrations of the ‘bleach’ is that the risks to the patient are higher. Applying these treatments yourself can be quite tricky, and getting it wrong has been known to result in burns to the lips and gums which can be quite painful.

Professional teeth whitening

The reality is that, if you want a truly effective and long lasting tooth whitening procedure, this needs to be done by a professional.

At Mike Allen’s Dental Practice in Burton Upon Trent, we offer our patients an effective method which, in some ways is not dissimilar to the home whitening kits.

The additional benefits that you receive by using our professional treatment though, is that the trays that hold the gel are made for you specifically, following impressions. This ensures that the trays fit correctly and minimises any risk of burns.

We also monitor this treatment and will check to make sure that everything is going as it should. We are also, of course, on hand to answer any questions that you may have during the treatment period.

For more information about our teeth whitening treatment, please visit the relevant page of our website or call us to arrange a consultation to discuss more.