Tooth whitening is a highly effective way of lightening the colour of your teeth without damaging the surface enamel. It is much cheaper and far less drastic than having a whole set of veneers to brighten teeth and can be just as effective while still maintaining a natural appearance.
There are many reasons why you may require tooth whitening but by far the most common is to reverse the staining of teeth that happens naturally as we age. The discolouration can be accelerated by ingesting certain foods and drinks such as coffee, and smoking can also increase the process.
The most common form of teeth whitening is professional bleaching carried out by a Weston-super-Mare dentist. The dentist will initially assess if you are suitable for whitening as the use of certain medications precludes treatment. If you are suitable, the dentist will use a rubber shield to protect the gums and other soft tissue before applying a concentrated mixture containing the active ingredient hydrogen peroxide. As this is broken down oxygen penetrates the enamel on the surface of the teeth making it appear lighter.
Complete treatments usually take between three and four weeks with regular applications of half an hour over that period. In most cases the dentist will make up reduced concentration treatments in special trays to be used at home. Although some new treatments can be applied for longer reducing the overall treatment time to as little as a week.
Other new treatments include using the heat of a dental laser to activate the chemical reaction producing a much faster colour change. The effects of tooth whitening can last up to three years although it is important to remember that all treatments will work differently for each patient as teeth vary in their natural colour and texture. Talk to a Weston-super-Mare dentist about the possibilities of brightening your smile with tooth whitening.
Dr Gerrard is a Bristol based Cosmetic dentist with many years of experience and is one of only a small number of dentists accredited by The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
Tooth whitening is a highly effective way of lightening the colour of your teeth without damaging the surface enamel. It is much cheaper and far less drastic than having a whole set of veneers to brighten teeth and can be just as effective while still maintaining a natural appearance.
There are many reasons why you may require tooth whitening but by far the most common is to reverse the staining of teeth that happens naturally as we age. The discolouration can be accelerated by ingesting certain foods and drinks such as coffee, and smoking can also increase the process.
The most common form of teeth whitening is professional bleaching carried out by a Weston-super-Mare dentist. The dentist will initially assess if you are suitable for whitening as the use of certain medications precludes treatment. If you are suitable, the dentist will use a rubber shield to protect the gums and other soft tissue before applying a concentrated mixture containing the active ingredient hydrogen peroxide. As this is broken down oxygen penetrates the enamel on the surface of the teeth making it appear lighter.
Complete treatments usually take between three and four weeks with regular applications of half an hour over that period. In most cases the dentist will make up reduced concentration treatments in special trays to be used at home. Although some new treatments can be applied for longer reducing the overall treatment time to as little as a week.
Other new treatments include using the heat of a dental laser to activate the chemical reaction producing a much faster colour change. The effects of tooth whitening can last up to three years although it is important to remember that all treatments will work differently for each patient as teeth vary in their natural colour and texture. Talk to a Weston-super-Mare dentist about the possibilities of brightening your smile with tooth whitening.
