Teeth whitening

There are many teeth whitening systems available, including whitening toothpastes, over-the counter gels, strips and trays and whitening agents obtained from a dentist.

Teeth whitening is ideal for people who have healthy, unrestored teeth (no fillings) and gums. Individuals with yellow tones to their teeth respond best, but this cosmetic procedure is not recommended for everyone.

Here’s a guide to help find out if teeth whitening is right for you.

Whitening systems

Whitening toothpastes

All toothpastes help remove surface stains because they have mild abrasives. Some whitening toothpastes contain gentle polishing or chemical agents that provide additional stain removal effectiveness. Whitening toothpastes can help remove surface stains only and do not contain bleach; over-the-counter and professional whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide (a bleaching substance) that helps remove stains on the tooth surface as well as stains deep in the tooth.

Whitening toothpastes can lighten your tooth's colour by about one shade. In contrast, light-activated whitening conducted at your dentist's (see below) can make your teeth three to eight shades lighter.

Over-the-counter whitening strips and gels

Whitening gels are clear, peroxide-based gels applied with a small brush directly to the surface of your teeth. Generally they require an application twice for 14 days. Initial results are seen in a few days and final results are sustained for about four months.

Whitening strips are very thin, virtually invisible strips that are coated with a peroxide-based whitening gel. The strips are applied twice daily for 30 minutes for 14 days. Initial results are seen in a few days and final results are sustained for about 4 months.

The British Dental Association warns against trying to whiten teeth yourself with kits from the chemist or the Internet. Instead, it recommends treatment should be carried out under the supervision of your dentist. However, if you do decide to buy a home kit, the British Dental Health Foundation says you should make sure you get one which carries its approved logo.

Tray-based tooth whitening products

Tray based tooth whitening systems, bought either over-the-counter or from your dentist, involve filling a mouth guard-like tray with a gel whitening solution, which contains a peroxide-bleaching agent and wearing the tray for a period of time, generally from a couple hours a day to every day during the night for up to four weeks or longer (depending on the degree of staining and desired level of whitening).

New EU new regulations will mean that products containing or releasing over 0.1% hydrogen peroxide will not be available directly to the consumer. Whitening products over 0.1% and less than 6% hydrogen peroxide will only be available to patients following an examination and an initial treatment session carried out or supervised by a dentist.

In-dentist’s surgery whitening

In-dentist’s surgery bleaching provides the quickest and most effective way to whiten teeth. The whitening product is applied directly to the teeth. These products can be used in combination with heat, a special light and/or a laser. The light and/or heat accelerate the whitening process. Results are seen in only one, 30 to 60 minute treatment, but  to achieve dramatic results, several appointments are usually needed. However, with laser-enhanced bleaching, dramatic results can be seen after the first treatment.