Teeth Whitening – Your Questions Answered

Stains and discolouration can take their toll on your teeth, and your beautiful smile can lose its radiance. Dull, off-white teeth may cause you to keep a tight-lipped smile. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

If your smile doesn’t sparkle like it used to, Love Teeth have got you covered. We offer three great teeth whitening products; Enlighten, Boutique, and Philips Zoom! with both chairside and at-home treatments to suit your lifestyle.

Before choosing your whitening treatment, there’s probably lots you’ll want to know. 

In this article, we’ll answer some of the most commonly asked teeth whitening questions so you can go into the treatment safe in the knowledge you’re getting the bright new smile you’re hoping for.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

The exact whitening process varies depending on whether you choose an in-clinic or at-home treatment. 

Philips Zoom! Is our chairside whitening option. Zoom! is light-activated and can brighten your smile by up to eight shades in just 45 minutes. 

We offer three at-home treatments. Enlighten, Boutique, and Philips’ DayWhite and NiteWhite. With at-home treatments, you’ll wear custom-made trays around your teeth. These trays will contain whitening gel and will need to be worn daily for two weeks. 

Will Teeth Whitening Remove Stains?

Did you know that your teeth have pores? Much like your skin, the surface of your tooth is covered in microscopic holes. 

Over time, strong-coloured food and drink can penetrate the pores of your teeth. Coffee, red wine, tea, chocolate, berries, curry, and tobacco are just some of the culprits that cause deep stains. 

Brushing your teeth alone won’t remove these stains. A professional whitening product is essential if you want a whiter smile as it is the only effective way to remove stains.

Does Teeth Whitening Work On Crowns?

Crowns, veneers, partial dentures, inlays, onlays, dental bridges, and areas of your teeth that have had composite resin applied to them cannot be whitened. Teeth whitening will only brighten your natural teeth. 

If you’re worried about colour-matching your dental prosthetic with the natural teeth you’re whitening, talk to us. We’ll help you achieve a uniform shade across your entire smile.

Is Teeth Whitening Safe?

You may have concerns about the safety of teeth whitening treatments, After all, they commonly use the bleaching agent, hydrogen peroxide.

The strength of the whitening agents used in professional whitening products is strictly regulated, and the products we use are within these safe limits.

We’d always recommend a professional whitening treatment. Whether you’re undergoing the whitening process in our clinic, or from the comfort of your own home, having our support and guidance will ensure everything is completely safe.

While there are numerous whitening treatments available in the shops, without the support of a dental professional, you’re putting your oral health at risk. Not only that, but store-bought products are typically less effective.

Does Teeth Whitening Cause Sensitivity?

Exposure to the gels used in whitening treatments can cause sensitivity in your teeth. Fortunately, this problem is addressed before your teeth are whitened, so your experience is discomfort-free.

If you choose Enlighten, you’ll be given a special toothpaste two weeks before you get your whitening trays. This toothpaste includes Hydroxyapatite (HAP), a naturally occurring material that’s found in your tooth’s enamel. 

Brushing your teeth using HAP toothpaste will strengthen your enamel in preparation for the whitening process. The added HAP will reduce sensitivity.

Philips’ at-home whitening treatments use potassium nitrate and Amorphous Calcium Phosphate (ACP). These desensitizing agents reduce sensitivity.

How Often Will I Need to Whiten My Teeth?

Ultimately, everybody is different. There are several factors that may cause staining and discolouration. These include your diet, if you’re a smoker, whether you brush your teeth straight after eating or not, and how susceptible your teeth are to staining.

You’ll need to top up your whitening treatment eventually. We’d suggest doing this every six months to maintain the same bright smile at all times.

Does Visiting the Hygienist Help Whiten Teeth?

Making an appointment with a dental hygienist for a scale and polish will certainly help shift any surface stains. A deep, professional clean will enhance your smile in ways you can’t achieve at home through brushing alone. 

The treatments offered by a hygienist will freshen your smile to a degree, but they won’t penetrate deep into your teeth and break down embedded stains in the same way a professional whitening treatment will. 

We suggest making a regular trip to a hygienist in conjunction with any whitening treatments you choose to have.

Can I Whiten My Teeth If I Have a Cavity?

Untreated dental problems such as cavities should be dealt with ahead of your whitening treatment. The whitening gels used in the process are powerful and will cause discomfort for any compromised teeth. 

We’ll always check the general health of your teeth before you have a whitening treatment to ensure it’s safe to proceed. 

Does Activated Charcoal Remove Stains?

Scan the toothpaste aisle of any supermarket and you’ll find activated charcoal products that claim to whiten your teeth. But do they work? 

Activated charcoal is abrasive. This means that if you use charcoal toothpaste too much, you run the risk of damaging the outer layer of your teeth. Not only that, but the results offered by these types of toothpaste don’t even compare with professional whitening treatments.

Which Is Best: In-Clinic Or At-Home Whitening?

This is more personal preference than anything else. In-clinic whitening is brief. In one short appointment, you can brighten your smile. This is great if you have an impending big day and can’t wait two weeks for an at-home treatment to work its magic. 

On the other hand, at-home treatments such as Enlighten achieve amazing results from the comfort of your own living room.

Teeth Whitening at Love Teeth

We want you to love your smile again. Love Teeth’s expert dentists are here to help you feel good about the way you look and give you renewed sparkle.

For teeth whitening in Sutton, Stonecot, Cheam, or Chessington, call us today to schedule a consultation.