All teeth discolour with time: stains are absorbed and teeth become grey or brown. Some people are born with darker teeth, and some have discoloured teeth because of events while their teeth were forming. Here are the ways to make teeth look whiter.
Scale and polish
The simplest way to improve the appearance of your teeth. A dental professional uses specialist equipment to polish your teeth and clean your gums, removing stains from tobacco, tea, coffee and red wine.
Whitening toothpastes
They help maintain a whitened smile but will not dramatically change colour, and are recommended for smokers to remove staining. Heavy smokers concerned about discolouration should consider a scale and polish every three months, and stopping smoking.
Over-the-counter whitening
Whitening strips are the best form of over-the-counter whitening. Before using them, it is essential to have had a dental examination with X-rays within the last two years and a scale and polish.
Non-custom bleaching trays do not seal against the gums, letting bleach sit on them. Dr Dadswell does not recommend trays that have not been made from a dental impression.
Custom tray whitening at the clinic
Bleaching trays are made to fit your teeth, with the optimum concentration of whitening gel. The process takes about 2 to 4 weeks and a few appointments.
In-surgery whitening
Light or laser whitening in the chair uses a strong chemical that can leave teeth sensitive for up to 12 weeks, and is not recommended in winter or for sensitive teeth. In-surgery whitening is not available at the clinic. Other in-surgery options include internal whitening for root-filled teeth that have turned grey.
How white can my teeth become?
As a general rule, it is difficult to whiten teeth beyond the whites of your eyes. Teeth always look whiter against darker skin tones, and some people use red lipstick to make their teeth appear whiter. Within moderation whitening is safe; overuse can create problems.
Tooth whitening is one of my favourite cosmetic dental treatments. I've used this technique on friends, family and patients. It's very popular with couples who are getting married. The procedure is painless and effective, it has a dramatic result, and I would recommend it to anyone considering cosmetic dental treatment.