TEETH WHITENING

We now use the popular Fläsh teeth whitening system. Watch this video to see how it works.

Teeth whitening is a common procedure in general dentistry but most especially in the field of cosmetic dentistry. A child's deciduous teeth are generally whiter than the adult teeth that follow.

I've noticed that my teeth have changed colour over the last few years.
As a person ages the adult teeth often become darker as dentine, which is naturally yellow in colour, thickens. Teeth can also become stained by bacterial pigments, foodstuffs and tobacco. Certain antibiotic medications (like tetracycline) can also cause teeth stains or a reduction in the brilliance of the enamel.

How does teeth whitening work?
Oxidising agents such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide are used to lighten the shade of the tooth. The oxidising agent penetrates the porosities in the rod-like crystal structure of enamel and oxidises interprismatic stain deposits; over a period of time, the dentine layer, lying underneath the enamel, is also bleached.

How often do I need to bleach my teeth for the best results?
The effects of bleaching can last for several months, but may vary depending on the lifestyle of the patient. Factors that decrease whitening include smoking and the ingestion of dark colored liquids like coffee, tea and red wine.

My teeth seem discoloured from the inside out. Is this possible?
Internal staining of dentine can discolor the teeth from inside out. Internal bleaching can remedy this. If heavy staining or tetracycline damage is present on a patient's teeth, and whitening is ineffective, there are other methods of whitening teeth. Bonding, when a thin coating of composite material is applied to the front of a person's teeth and then cured with a blue light can be performed to mask the staining. A veneer can also mask tooth discoloration.

Can I bleach my own teeth at home with advice I found on the internet?
Teeth whitening advice on the internet range from completely ineffective to extremely dangerous. Since you have only one set of teeth for the rest of your life, do you really want to risk it?

There are many methods to whiten teeth: bleaching strips, bleaching pen, bleaching gel, laser bleaching, and natural bleaching. Traditionally, at-home whitening involves applying bleaching gel to the teeth using thin guard trays. These trays are custom made by the dentist of each and every patient. At-home whitening can also be done by applying small strips that go over the front teeth.

We advise that you ask your dentist about the specific product you plan to use as it might have an effect on, or be affected by, treatment provided by your dentist.