What to expect
Teeth whitening by Cottage Dental
Teeth whitening involves bleaching your teeth to make them lighter. It can't make your teeth brilliant white, but it can lighten the existing colour by several shades.
Why would I need my teeth whitened?
There are a number of reasons why you might get your teeth whitened. Everyone is different; and just as our hair and skin colour vary, so do our teeth.
Very few people have brilliant-white teeth, and our teeth can also become more discoloured as we get older.
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Your teeth can also be stained on the surface by food and drinks such as tea, coffee, red wine and blackcurrant. Smoking can also stain teeth.
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‘Calculus' or tartar can also affect the colour of your teeth. Some people may have staining under the surface, which can be caused by certain antibiotics or by tiny cracks in the teeth which take up stains.
What does tooth whitening involve?
Professional bleaching is the most usual method of tooth whitening. Your dental team will be able to tell you if you are suitable for the treatment, and will supervise it if you are.
First the dental team will put a rubber shield or a gel on your gums to protect them. They will then apply the whitening product to your teeth, using a specially made tray which fits into your mouth like a mouthguard.
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The ‘active ingredient' in the product is usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. As the active ingredient is broken down, oxygen gets into the enamel on the teeth and the tooth colour is made lighter.
How long does this take?
The total treatment can usually be done within three to four weeks. First, you will need two or three visits to the dentist.
Our dental team will need to make a mouthguard and will take impressions for this at the first appointment.
Once your dental team has started the treatment, you will need to continue the treatment at home. This means regularly applying the whitening product over two to four weeks, for 30 minutes to one hour at a time.
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However, there are now some new products which can be applied for up to eight hours at a time. This means you can get a satisfactory result in as little as one week.
Who can do teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is a form of dentistry and should only be carried out by a dentist or another regulated dental professional, such as a dental hygienist or dental therapist, on the prescription of a dentist.
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Some beauty salons offer teeth whitening, but this is illegal if there's no dental professional present, and it may put your oral health at risk.
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You can also buy DIY home teeth whitening kits but these may also carry risks.
Your Source for Comprehensive Dental Solutions
At the heart of our practice is the desire to provide our patients with the highest standards of dental care, understand their needs, exceed expectations, and create and maintain healthy, happy smiles.
We are an official Boutique Whitening Provider
Millions of people worldwide agree that Boutique Whitening provides the most effective and comfortable, professional teeth whitening experience available.
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