Special offer checkups £45.50 (half price) available Tuesday and Thursday only. Until the 19th of May.

Teeth Whitening
Teeth Whitening

TEETH WHITENING IN LONDON

Most people are not born with the perfect pearly whites while some others have discoloured teeth due to their lifestyle. Irrespective of the cause of discoloured or dull-looking teeth, people want to improve their smile and make their teeth whiter. More and more people are paying to get their teeth whitened.

Below are frequently asked questions about teeth whitening and their answers.

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is a dental procedure which involves lightening the shade of the teeth using a bleaching agent. Teeth whitening may not make your teeth look brilliantly white, but it can make your natural teeth brighter by several shades.

Who can carry out teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is mainly a dental procedure and is meant to be carried out by dentists or other regulated dental professionals like a dental therapist or hygienist under the guidance of a dentist

Getting your teeth whitened at a beauty salon is illegal, especially when no dental professional supervises the process. You would be putting your oral health at risk by whitening your teeth at a beauty salon.

Some DIY home whitening kits are available, but they also have their risks.

What is the teeth whitening procedure?

If you want to whiten your teeth, bear in mind that you would visit your dentist’s office severally within a few months.

The first step in teeth whitening involves your dentist taking impressions of your teeth which is needed to make your teeth whitening tray, resembling a mouth guard. You will use the whitening tray with a bleaching gel to whiten your teeth following your dentist’s instructions.

Usually, using the trays and bleaching gel requires 2 – 4 weeks to achieve the desired result. Some whitening gels can remain on the teeth for up to eight hours, and this reduces the treatment time to a week.

A widely used type of teeth whitening is the laser teeth whitening, also called power whitening. During a laser teeth whitening, the dentist will apply the bleaching gel on the teeth and use a laser light to activate the gel. The procedure takes about an hour, and it whitens the teeth by several shades within this time.

Invisalign before 4
Invisalign after 4
Invisalign before 5
Invisalign after 5
Teeth whitening & bonding before 1
Teeth whitening & bonding after 1

Can any dentist do teeth whitening?

You can whiten your teeth with any dentist provided the dentist is registered with the recognised bodies. You can also whiten your teeth with a registered dental hygienist or therapist if your dentist prescribes it.

Are home whitening kits and beauty salons acceptable for teeth whitening?

It is advisable to visit a qualified dental professional to whiten your teeth. Beauty salon teeth whitening is illegal, while home whitening kits have several risks.

What are the risks of beauty salon and at-home teeth whitening?

Some at-home teeth whitening kits may not be effective because they do not contain the right bleaching agents. If a dental professional does not take your teeth impression to make your whitening trays, the tray may not fit your teeth correctly, and this could cause the bleaching gel to leak out, affecting your gums. This may lead to blisters and sensitivity.

Teeth whitening at a beauty salon is illegal, and when you whiten your teeth at a beauty salon, you put your oral health in the hands of an untrained person without dental qualifications.

Does the NHS cover teeth whitening?

You can only whiten your teeth on the NHS if there is a medical reason for it like when you have discoloured teeth due to the death of a nerve.

If the whitening is for a cosmetic purpose, you would have to visit a private dental practice. The cost of getting your teeth whitening may vary with laser teeth whitening being the most expensive.

How do I know I am suitable for teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening s usually suitable for people with good oral health, but your dentist will inform you if you can whiten your teeth. You may not be able to whiten your teeth if you have dental restorations like crowns or gum disease.

What should I ask my dentist before my teeth whitening?

Do not hesitate to ask your dentist questions whenever you need clarification about your treatment. It would be best if you also asked about the result to expect and how long your teeth would remain whitened. You should ask if there are risks involved in the whitening process, like the period you should expect sensitivity.

To be more comfortable with the procedure, you may decide to talk to those who have carried out the same treatment in the past or get a second opinion from another dentist. 

Is the effect of teeth whitening permanent?

No, it is not. Your teeth can remain white for uptop three years depending on how well you care for the whitened teeth. If you smoke or take coffee, red, wine, and other drinks that stain the teeth, your teeth will likely get discoloured within a short time.

Can I whiten false teeth?

No, you cannot. Teeth whitening does not affect false teeth and dental restorations like fillings, veneers, dentures and crowns.

What are the risks of whitening my teeth?

Irrespective of the teeth whitening treatment you use, there is a slight chance that you would experience teeth sensitivity because of the chemical used during the process. The sensitivity may be worse if you already have sensitive teeth before the procedure.

You may also experience burns on your gums while home whitening kits may damage your enamel.

For more enquires about teeth whitening or to get your teeth whitened by a professional, contact Dental Hygienist London now on 020 31375055 or visit our dental clinic at Flat 1, 70 Great Russell St. Holborn, London WC1B 3BN.

CALL NOW