Teeth whitening at home - Cheltenham Dental

Why whiten teeth?

While everyone dreams of a Hollywood smile, very few people have naturally bright, white teeth. Your teeth change colour as you get older, and other factors like what you eat and drink can affect their colour. Coffee, red wine, curry, balsamic vinegar and dark berries are all teeth staining culprits. You may have an important event coming up, such as a wedding or holiday, that you want to look your best for. It may be that your teeth have gradually become discoloured due to certain prescribed medications or antibiotics. A build up of calculus (tartar) can also lead to yellow-looking teeth, as can habits like smoking.

Professional teeth whitening treatments at home

For a more flexible option at a time to suit you, your Cheltenham dentist can provide a whitening treatment to use at home and the treatment course is tailored to your unique smile and teeth shade. First an impression of your teeth and jaw is taken, in surgery, to custom-make a mouthguard that will be crucial to your at-home whitening kit. Then, from the comfort of your home – and when it suits your schedule – you can begin the process of whitening your teeth. It is a simple procedure that involves applying a gel to your teeth with the mouthguard making sure that the whitening gel is evenly distributed and safely transforming the colour of your teeth.

This is a treatment that requires multiple applications, but the ease of having the tools at home, as well as the expert advice from your dentist, means that it is much easier to fit in and around your life.

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You can keep your smile looking fresh and bright by incorporating these five simple steps into your oral care routine:

Avoid, or keep to a minimum, foods like curry and berries, and beverages such as coffee and red wine that are known to stain teeth
Have a glass of water or rinse your mouth out within thirty minutes of eating
Plaque attracts stains, so keep brushing and flossing regularly to remove any build up
Use a tooth whitening toothpaste or mouthwash
Visit your Cheltenham Spa Dental & Implant Clinic hygienist for a scale and polish at least once every six months

Why see a dentist for teeth-whitening instead of buying a kit online?

Opting to invest in teeth whitening with your dentist is arguably the safest choice. Your dentist can assess your oral health and discuss whether teeth whitening is safe for you, or which procedure is best for your teeth. As crowns and fillings can’t be whitened, your dentist will be better positioned to advise on the options for ensuring that all the teeth with crowns or fillings match. You may need to have fillings or crowns replaced for the best results. Your teeth should be free of decay (no cavities) and free of gum disease before whitening treatments. You may experience pain if you whiten when you have either of these conditions. Your dentist can also give you specific advice for whitening if you have sensitive teeth.

How long will the treatment last?

How long your teeth stay whiter and brighter after treatment is down to you. Stay away from stain-culprits and keep up a good oral health routine and the effects of your whitening treatment should last up to three years.

Does it work on crowns and fillings?

Unfortunately tooth whitening cannot alter the shade of dental restorations such as crowns and tooth coloured fillings.

Can I have my teeth whitened if I have cavities or gum problems?

Before treatment you will always be seen by one of our dentists to make sure that having your teeth whitened is right for you.

It is not a good idea to have your teeth whitened if you have existing dental problems, as the whitening agent can aggravate any cavity or gum problems.

Is teeth whitening detrimental to your health?

Teeth whitening is completely safe, but should always be carried out under the supervision of your dentist, so it is important that you consult them about your options in the first instance.

At home teeth whitening