Updated: 3rd March 2010

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Tooth Whitening

Tooth whitening or bleaching is a treatment aimed at improving appearance and self-esteem. It is simple and non-invasive. Under dental supervision it is safe and effective and one of the most cost effective cosmetic treatments available.

Patients wishing to improve their smile often ask for crowns or veneers and are amazed that simple bleaching can achieve the dramatic effect they require.

Fillings, crowns and veneers DO NOT change colour with bleaching. It may be necessary to change existing restorations to match the degree of whitening desired. Conversely if crowns or fillings are unavoidably needed at the front of the mouth, bleaching should be considered first to achieve best outcome.

Teeth discolour with time. This can be due to staining from coffee, black tea, red wine, curry, smoking, or medication at a developmental stage such as tetracycline and fluoride. The degree of whitening will vary depending on the cause of the discolouration but most forms of staining respond favourably, although it may take longer with severe discolouration.

Best results are achieved by once a day home whitening of at least 2–3 hours for 14 days. In difficult cases this may need to be bolstered by in-surgery whitening and possibly prolonging the home whitening. An impression is taken of the arch of teeth to be bleached and a laboratory tray is made to hold the Carbamide peroxide / Hydrogen peroxide which releases Oxygen which penetrates the teeth to act on the external and internal staining.

After bleaching, teeth have been shown to be permanently whiter 7 years later. This may vary however, and top-up treatment is usually recommended every 1 – 3 years for 3 – 4 days.

Occasional problems of tooth sensitivity and gum irritation can occur during the whitening procedure but it is always reversible. Sensitivity can be relieved by using a fluoride mouth rinse or a desensitising tooth paste such as Tooth Mousse. To avoid gum irritation use the minimum amount of bleaching gel. Excess gel will not speed the process. Some teeth with white or discoloured spots may go through a splotchy phase before becoming more evenly white. As with smoking, reduce the amounts of tea, coffee, red wine and curry consumed during and after treatment.

DO NOT use if pregnant or have a known allergy to peroxide.