Teeth Whitening FAQs: 26 Questions Patients Ask Before Whitening Their Teeth
1. Is teeth whitening safe?
Answer:
Yes. When teeth whitening is carried out appropriately and under the supervision of a dental professional, it is generally considered safe.
Before whitening treatment, your dentist should examine your teeth and gums to ensure that whitening is suitable for you.
The most common temporary side effects are tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. These effects are usually short-lived.
2. Does teeth whitening damage enamel?
Answer:
When professionally prescribed and used correctly, teeth whitening is generally considered safe for healthy teeth. However, inappropriate use of strong whitening products or excessive whitening may cause problems, particularly tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.
It is important to have your teeth and gums assessed by a dentist before starting whitening treatment.
3. How long does teeth whitening last?
Answer:
Teeth whitening is not permanent. How long the results last will depend on factors such as your diet, smoking habits, oral hygiene and the type of whitening treatment used.
With appropriate dental advice and good maintenance, the results may last for around three years, although this varies considerably from person to person.
4. How long does it take to whiten teeth?
Answer:
The length of time required depends on the individual and the type and severity of tooth discolouration.
Professional home whitening using custom-made whitening trays generally takes around 2–3 weeks to achieve the desired result.
However, deeper staining, such as tetracycline staining, can be more difficult to treat and may require approximately 6–12 weeks, depending on the severity of the discolouration.
5. What is the best way to whiten teeth?
Answer:
There is no single whitening treatment that is best for everyone. Your dentist can assess the cause and type of tooth discolouration and recommend the most appropriate treatment for you.
Professional whitening options may include:
Dentist-supplied whitening provides the benefit of professional assessment and supervision, making it a safer and more controlled approach than obtaining strong whitening products from non-dental sources.
6. Does teeth whitening hurt?
Answer:
Some people experience temporary tooth sensitivity during or after whitening treatment. You may notice sensitivity to cold drinks, cold air or sweet foods.
The likelihood and severity of sensitivity can depend on factors such as the whitening product used, its concentration and the duration of treatment.
In most cases, sensitivity is temporary.
7. How can I stop tooth sensitivity after whitening?
Answer:
If you experience sensitivity during or after teeth whitening, speak to your dentist. They may recommend modifying your whitening regime, reducing the frequency or duration of treatment, or using a suitable desensitising product.
You should not simply continue using whitening products if you experience significant or persistent pain.
8. Can I whiten my teeth if I have fillings?
Answer:
Yes, you may be able to whiten your natural teeth if you have fillings. However, it is important to understand that whitening products only lighten natural tooth structure. They do not whiten existing tooth-coloured fillings.
If you have visible fillings on your front teeth, whitening may make a difference in colour between the natural teeth and the fillings more noticeable. Your dentist can discuss whether the fillings may need to be replaced after whitening to achieve a more uniform result.
9. Can I whiten my teeth if I have crowns?
Answer:
Yes, you may be able to whiten your natural teeth if you have crowns. However, the crowns themselves will not become lighter.
This is particularly important if you have crowns on your front teeth, as whitening your natural teeth may result in a difference in colour between your teeth and existing crowns.
Your dentist should discuss the likely colour outcome with you before treatment.
10. Can I whiten my teeth if I have veneers?
Answer:
Whitening products do not change the colour of veneers. They only affect natural tooth structure.
If you have veneers on your front teeth, whitening may be considered before placing new veneers where appropriate. This can help your dentist select a suitable shade for the veneers and reduce the risk of a mismatch between your natural teeth and the new restorations.
11. Can yellow teeth be whitened?
Answer:
Often, yes. Teeth can naturally become more yellow with age, and discolouration can also be associated with staining from tea, coffee, red wine and smoking.
However, the cause and type of discolouration need to be considered. Some forms of intrinsic staining can be more difficult to treat with conventional teeth whitening.
A dental assessment can help determine whether whitening is suitable for you.
12. Can I whiten stained teeth?
Answer:
Professional teeth whitening can be effective for many types of tooth discolouration. However, it is important to establish whether the staining is mainly on the surface of the teeth or is deeper within the tooth structure.
A dental examination can help identify the likely cause of the staining and determine whether professional whitening is appropriate.
13. Can I whiten my teeth if I smoke?
Answer:
Smoking can contribute significantly to tooth staining. Professional teeth whitening may improve the colour of your natural teeth, but continued smoking can contribute to further staining over time.
Stopping smoking is beneficial for your overall oral health and can also help you maintain a brighter smile following whitening treatment.
14. Can coffee stain your teeth?
Answer:
Yes. Coffee can contribute to surface staining of the teeth over time. Tea, red wine and tobacco can also cause tooth staining.
After teeth whitening, reducing your exposure to staining substances can help you maintain your results for longer.
15. Can I whiten my teeth with whitening toothpaste?
Answer:
Whitening toothpastes can help to remove surface stains, particularly those caused by food and drink. However, they generally do not provide the same bleaching effect as professional teeth whitening.
Some whitening toothpastes work primarily through mild abrasives that remove surface staining, while others may contain low levels of peroxide.
16. Do whitening strips work?
Answer:
Whitening strips can produce some degree of whitening because many contain peroxide-based ingredients. However, the results can vary depending on the product and the individual.
For a more predictable result, dentist-supervised whitening allows your teeth and gums to be assessed before treatment and enables your dentist to recommend an appropriate whitening system.
17. Is professional teeth whitening better than whitening kits?
Answer:
Professional teeth whitening has an important advantage: your dentist can assess your teeth and gums before treatment and supervise the whitening process.
This is particularly important if you have fillings, crowns, veneers, gum recession, tooth sensitivity, decay or other dental concerns.
Professional whitening also allows the treatment to be tailored to your individual needs and monitored throughout the process.
18. Can I whiten my teeth if I have sensitive teeth?
Answer:
You may still be able to whiten your teeth if you have sensitivity, but your teeth should be assessed by your dentist first.
Your dentist can identify the likely cause of your sensitivity and, where appropriate, modify the whitening protocol to make treatment more comfortable.
19. Can I whiten my teeth if I have gum disease?
Answer:
Your gums should be healthy before starting teeth whitening treatment.
If you have active gum disease, your dentist may recommend treating the gum condition first before considering cosmetic teeth whitening.
A dental assessment can determine whether whitening is suitable for you.
20. Can I whiten my teeth while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Answer:
Teeth whitening is generally not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and are considering teeth whitening, speak to your dentist, who can advise you about the most appropriate time to have treatment.
21. Can teenagers have their teeth whitened?
Answer:
In the UK, dental whitening is not available to people aged 17 or under.
If you are concerned about the colour of a teenager’s teeth, it is advisable to arrange a dental assessment to establish the cause of the discolouration.
22. Why are my teeth still yellow after whitening?
Answer:
Teeth whitening does not necessarily produce exactly the same shade on every tooth. The final result depends on factors such as the original tooth colour, the type of staining, the structure of the teeth and any existing dental restorations.
Some forms of intrinsic discolouration may respond less predictably to whitening.
Your dentist can assess your teeth and explain what level of whitening may realistically be achieved.
23. Why are my teeth different colours?
Answer:
It is normal for teeth to vary naturally in colour. However, previous dental treatment, trauma, fillings, crowns, root canal treatment and different types of staining can also cause individual teeth to appear darker.
If one tooth is significantly darker than the others, a dental assessment is recommended to establish the cause before considering whitening.
24. Can teeth whitening remove brown stains from teeth?
Answer:
It depends on the cause of the brown staining.
Some brown staining is surface staining and may improve significantly following professional dental cleaning. Teeth whitening can then be considered if the natural teeth remain darker than you would like.
However, if the discolouration is caused by tooth decay, defective restorations or another dental condition, whitening would not be the appropriate first treatment. The underlying dental problem should be assessed and treated first.
25. How much does teeth whitening cost?
Answer:
The cost of teeth whitening depends on the type of treatment selected and your individual requirements.
At Bridge Dental & Implant Clinic, we can discuss different professional whitening options, including Boutique Whitening and Enlighten Whitening, to help determine which system is most suitable for you.
During your consultation, we can explain the treatment process and provide you with the relevant costs before you decide to proceed.
26. Teeth Whitening Cost – What Is Included?
Answer:
Professional teeth whitening is more than simply purchasing whitening gel.
Depending on the whitening system selected, your treatment may include:
Our aim is to provide a personalised whitening experience from the initial assessment through to achieving and maintaining your desired smile.
Why Choose Bridge Dental & Implant Clinic for Teeth Whitening?
If you are considering professional teeth whitening in Derby, Derbyshire, we recommend having your teeth and gums assessed before starting treatment.
At Bridge Dental & Implant Clinic, we can assess the cause of your tooth discolouration, discuss your expectations and recommend the most appropriate professional whitening option for you.
Whether you are concerned about yellow teeth, brown staining, coffee or tea staining, tetracycline staining, or simply want a brighter smile, we can discuss the options available to you.
Book a Teeth Whitening Consultation with dentist or treatment co-ordinator
If you are considering teeth whitening and would like to know which treatment is suitable for you, contact Bridge Dental & Implant Clinic to arrange a consultation.
Professional advice. Bespoke whitening. A brighter, more confident smile.
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