Tooth Bleaching

What is tooth bleaching?

If you have badly stained or discoloured teeth, bleaching is a great way to bring them back to a natural whiteness, most tooth bleaching procedures are carried out in the dentists surgery and take about an hour to complete. The treatment is aimed at removing stains left on teeth by food and drink, or lightening the surface enamel that has darkened over time. As a person ages, the mineral structure of their teeth changes and becomes more vulnerable to deep staining, this results in a darker appearance – something that brushing and flossing can’t fight unfortunately. Some antibiotics are also to blame for changes in the teeth, if taken whilst the teeth are still growing or for long periods of time they make the enamel turn yellow.

How does it work?

The label ‘tooth bleaching’ might sound a bit hazardous, but there is only a small amount of bleach used in the process and it gets rid of staining in a matter of minutes. There are lots of ways in which the bleach is applied to the teeth, they work under the same principal but can give varying results.

Bleaching strips, bleaching pens, gel bleaching or laser bleaching are among the most common forms of teeth whitening and all are available over the counter – apart from laser bleaching, this needs to be performed by a professional cosmetic dentist. Whitening strips are usually cheap to purchase and very easy to use, all you have to do is apply the adhesive strips to the front of your teeth and leave for the appropriate length of time, in order to let the oxidizing agents get to work breaking through the stain deposits that have built up. Another method of home bleaching uses a thin plastic tray that is filled with gel and placed over the teeth. The small amount of peroxide contained in the gel then whitens the enamel. Although this option is more effective than most other DIY kits, it still doesn’t compare to a professional treatment, which can alter the colour of the teeth by eight shades or more. The most you will probably get out of over the counter equipment is a shade or two – three if you’re lucky, and that’s not even taking into account the issue of time. Bleaching treatments administered by dentists at their surgery are known to give dramatic, instant results in most cases, other methods take months to show any difference at all and even then it won’t get close to the whiteness achieved by professional bleaching.

If you decide that a tooth whitening procedure is for you, your treatment should be completed within an hour – after your initial consultation. The gel will be applied to the surface of your teeth, and then it is exposed to a blue curing light for a period of fifteen to twenty minutes. This process is repeated twice more with a new layer of gel each time, to make sure that the bleaching agents have activated under the light and all dark areas have been dealt with. Some patients may have to return for further treatment if their teeth were in very bad shape to begin with, as it can take more than three applications to break through tough stains – although most people will find they only need to take one trip to the surgery for the procedure.

Are there any risks?

Tooth bleaching is, on the whole, a painless and well-tested treatment, however this doesn’t mean it comes risk free. Your dentist will advise you on the side effects before hand, not to scare you or make you change your mind, but to be sure you know what risks are involved – however miniscule.

A large percentage of people who have their teeth whitened will experience tenderness or sensitivity to some extent, but this it typically quite mild and doesn’t last long. More problematic symptoms may arise from the bleach in the gel touching the soft tissues in the mouth – an issue that can occur with one-size-fits-all home kits. This can lead to slight discolouration of the gums for a short period of time. Most patients who experience this will find that there is no real lasting damage from the chemical burns, and that they don’t feel much discomfort unless they suffer from sensitive teeth and gums normally. Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures is another side effect that can sometimes present itself; again, this is not a permanent state and should subside after a day or two.

Some studies have also shown that there is a chance of the teeth reverting to its original colour after treatment, this is because the bleaching process dehydrates to the enamel in order to get rid of the stains, then as the tooth re-hydrates itself the new whiteness may darken to some degree. This is to be expected if there has been an enormous change in colour, but the patient can return for further treatment if they are unhappy with the results.

Is it a costly procedure?

The best in the business do charge a little more for their tooth bleaching services, but it is a worthwhile venture if you want your smile to look it’s whitest. Whilst home kits are cheaper and might seem like an easier option, you’ll be lucky if you see results within a few months, if you see any change at all. Professional tooth bleaching is very popular because it gives instant, top quality results when correctly used.

You should be able to book a procedure for about eighty pounds at a good dental surgery – but remember, the cheapest alternative isn’t always the best, if you’re prepared to invest in your teeth a little bit you will see much better results.