Whitening your teeth can transform not only your smile but your day to day life, too! Going a shade or two brighter is nothing to be taken lightly, although the process is not painful or dangerous, there are a few practicalities and financial concerns to consider before you dive into whitening. You probably have a few questions churning around once you make the decision to undergo teeth whitening, and of course, you want them answered before you step out the door for your next dental appointment – that way you can go in as informed as possible! Here is everything you need to know about whitening before you book in for your consultation…
What causes teeth to look discoloured?
Teeth become discoloured over time as we age, that’s a natural fact and one that we don’t get very much say in. That being said, there are a few lifestyle factors that can increase or intensify the discolouration process. The frequent consumption of coffee, tea and alcohol are huge contributors to discoloured teeth. Smoking and poor dental upkeep will also cause the process to quicken. The natural aging discolouration process is known as intrinsic, whilst food, drink and lifestyle habits are referred to as the extrinsic discolouration process.
What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening involves the application of bleach, specialised light or other (usually at home natural remedies or methods) products to life staining and discolouration from the tooth, restoring it to its natural white state. Teeth whitening methods include having a mould of your teeth fitted and taking dental-grade bleach home to wear and whiten with over the course of a couple of weeks, in-chair (or in-office) whitening sessions which are done with light, or products purchased at a pharmacy or elsewhere that are not monitored or provided by a dental professional.
Is it safe?
Whitening your teeth is incredibly safe, particularly when you’re working with your dentist to achieve your desired results. As long as you’re not ingesting any bleach products, you’ll be right as rain during your whitening process. A couple of potential side effects that you’ll need to watch out for (especially if you’re already struggling with them) include…
Sensitivity: Whitening products open your tooth’s pores, allowing the formula to penetrate the enamel and adjust the colour effectively. Because of this, you might experience heightened levels of tooth sensitivity for a few weeks. Avoid extremely hot or ice-cold drinks and brush gently to cater to this side effect. If you already suffer from tooth sensitivity, you might want to speak with your dentist about alternative options before you begin the process.
Gum irritation: Your gums can potentially become irritated during teeth whitening. This happens if they come into contact with the whitening product, but by no means is this severe and it will absolutely disappear as quickly as it comes.
Is the change permanent?
Unfortunately, no tooth whitening method is one hundred per cent permanent, they all require general upkeep to maintain a bright a sparkling smile, long term. This can mean top-ups, whitening toothpaste or lifestyle adjustment. Of course, in order to keep your teeth clean, white and healthy, you’ll need to visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and professional cleans.
How will I need to adjust my lifestyle?
During the whitening process, you will have to abstain from the consumption of black tea, coffee and red wine. These will penetrate your teeth’s pores and cause discolouring. In the long term, regular washing or brushing following a tea, coffee or alcoholic beverage is highly recommended. Quitting smoking will benefit your whole lifestyle and state of health, as well as your teeth, so you should absolutely consider it after whitening your smile.
Speak to your dentist about teeth whitening at your next check-up!