Have you noticed your teeth aren’t as white as they used to be?
Teeth naturally darken with age, but certain food, drinks and medications also discolour teeth. Smoking causes yellowing of the teeth whilst trauma can cause a tooth to darken or even go black.
Westbury Smiles Dental Practice offers safe and effective teeth whitening procedures in Bristol. We use the Pola advanced tooth whitening system which is a professional and convenient teeth whitening kit which enables you to brighten your smile safely within the comfort of your own home.
Steps to a Whiter Smile
- Firstly one of our dentists will carry out a dental examination in order to ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy. The whitening agent can irritate cavities or gum problems so it is important that your dentist confirms that tooth whitening is suitable for you.
- Impressions of your teeth are taken so that we can make you some bespoke, custom-made trays to wear over your teeth.
- Your trays are then worn with a bleaching gel which will be worn for 30mins – 2 hours a day or overnight.
- Teeth whitening at home usually takes between 2 and 4 weeks if the whitening gel is applied regularly.
After Treatment
To help maintain your new brighter smile we recommend you brush your teeth twice daily and attend regular hygiene visits. The result is less likely to last as long if you smoke. A lot of patients keep their custom made trays and purchase the whitening gel when they feel they need a refresh, usually around 12 months after initial treatment.
Other Treatment Options
Other cosmetic treatments that change the shade of your teeth include veneers and crowns. These treatments usually require some tooth preparation whilst tooth whitening does not cause any damage to your teeth.
When might tooth whitening not work?
Most patients see a good result with tooth whitening however everyone reacts differently to treatment. Teeth whitening can only lighten your natural tooth colour. It will not lighten false teeth such as crowns, bridges or dentures and it will not lighten composite fillings however these can be replaced to match your new brighter teeth.
Are there any side effects?
Some people notice their teeth become more sensitive during or shortly after treatment. This usually lasts no more than 24 hours. Sensitivity can be reduced with the use of desensitising toothpastes such as Sensodyne or Colgate Pro- relief. Occasionally people notice sore patches on their gums or a sore throat but this is usually temporary and resolves within a few days of finishing treatment.
Book a Teeth Whitening Consultation
Please contact our team for more information.