Straight, bright, white teeth have always been desirable and considered a sign of beauty since time immemorial. Arguably, beauty standards have never been higher than at present, what with the pressures of social media and the advent of modern photo and video editing technology, raising the bar to often rather very high standards. The desire to emulate that gleaming smile we see on our tv screens has therefore never been more acute. In real terms though, having whiter teeth has shown to enhance a perception of desirability and increase self-confidence. It is no wonder that people are increasingly looking into enhancing their smiles by bettering their teeth, and hence, teeth whitening procedures are much sought after.

What causes teeth to become discoloured?

There are primarily two categories of tooth discolouration: i) Intrinsic and ii) Extrinsic causes.

Intrinsic causes of tooth discolouration:

1. Changes in the structure and thickness of the tooth substance itself, e.g. enamel opacities.
2. Incorporation of pigments during formation of the tooth, e.g. blue/brown tetracycline staining.
3. Diffusion of pigments into the hard tissues of the structure after they have been formed, e.g. pulp death (necrosis) products.

Extrinsic causes of tooth discolouration:

1. Consuming food that stains the enamel, e.g. tea, coffee, red wine, etc.
2. Smoking and other tobacco products.
3. Build-up of plaque and calculus.
4. Chlorhexidine mouthwash staining.

Teeth Whitening Treatments

There are two ways to carry out teeth whitening, Home Whitening and In Office Whitening – both of these involve bleaching agents that remove discolouration and lighten the colour of the teeth.

1. Home Whitening:

This requires a first session at the dental surgery, where a dental examination is carried out followed by impressions being taken which are then sent to the lab to create a mould (or tray). These moulds are then sent to the patient along with the bleaching gel and instructions of how to proceed with the whitening treatment at home, which involves wearing the tray loaded with the bleaching agent for up to 8hrs each day for at least 2 weeks, up to 6 weeks.

2. In- Office Whitening:

This is carried out at the dental surgery. A much stronger concentration of the bleaching agent is used here, which is applied to the teeth, after the gums are first covered with a gingival barrier protection. A curing light is sometimes shone to activate the agent. Teeth whitening is achieved in a single session.

Both of these methods of teeth whitening are quite effective, and can whiten teeth up to several shades. At Wandsworth Town Dental Practice we have both of these methods available for you to realise your teeth whitening dreams, at the hands of expert dental professionals.

Tips for achieving healthier, better-looking teeth:

1. Practice Efficient Oral Hygiene Daily:

Ensuring proper dental hygiene is not just about brushing your teeth twice daily. Post-brushing regime, including flossing, mouth washing, and tongue cleaning is equally

important to ensure clean gums and better oral health.

Ensure that you use toothpaste that has fluoride as an active ingredient as it helps in keeping teeth strong and cavities at bay. Applying excessive pressure while brushing your teeth can also lead to erosion of tooth enamel causing sensitivity and other dental issues.

2. Seek Professional Help from Certified Dentists:

Most private dentists provide teeth whitening services as it is considered a cosmetic treatment. Visit Wandsworth Town Dental Practice to find the best dentists who will advise you whether you should go for teeth whitening or not. Our certified dental practitioners thoroughly study your oral health and then recommend you the treatment that is best for you.

3. Consume food and drink that are good for your teeth:

Fruits and vegetables such as apples, carrots, celery, strawberries, pineapple and nuts are good for our teeth and can even help in protecting against tooth stains.

4. Avoid food and drink that causes teeth staining:

Coffee, tea and red wine is notorious for causing teeth to stain. Smoking, while injurious to our general health, is also particularly harmful to our oral health and causes staining on teeth.

5. Limit Sugar Consumption:

We don’t often realize but we consume a large amount of sugar every day. This is directly related to tooth decay and other oral problems. Follow a healthy and balanced diet that is a mix of unsweetened food, and sugar-free drinks to keep your oral health in check.

6. Visit Your Dentist Regularly:

Our teeth are exposed to numerous discolouring agents throughout the day. Regular consumption of certain foods and beverages makes it difficult for teeth to retain their original colour. If left unattended, this can further make way for oral problems like plague, calculus etc., that lend your teeth an unnatural yellow tint and disintegrate oral health. Also, several oral problems, such as cavities, are irreversible, so it’s a good idea to prevent an issue before it manifests itself. Visiting your dentist twice a year ensures that such oral issues stay at bay whilst you enjoy better oral health.

In Conclusion:

If you’re still wondering whether you should go for teeth whitening treatment or not, we’d suggest you talk to our experts at Wandsworth Town Dental Practice. They are efficient in diagnosing several oral conditions that may hinder teeth whitening procedures and can help you decide what’s the best treatment for you.

If you have prevailing gum diseases, reduced enamel, or oral sensitivity, you must not opt for teeth whitening treatments. This procedure is also ineffective on dentures, fillings, false teeth, veneers, and crowns.

Being a temporary teeth-whitening solution, these treatments can ensure whiter teeth for up to 3 years, depending upon the staining present on your teeth. For a prolonged effect, you must follow a post-teeth-whitening care regime as instructed by your dentist.

A usual teeth-whitening procedure requires a pre-screening session for a comprehensive dental scan and examination. After that, you may require up to 3 visits to your dental care centre until the final assessment.