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TEETH WHITENING

A sparkling row of white teeth can do wonders for confidence and appearance. Yellowish teeth however, can do the reverse.

Stains/ yellowish tinge on teeth sometimes cannot be removed with simple polishing. Such deep stains can only be gently removed by whitening procedures.

TYPES OF WHITENING PROCESS

HOME KIT WHITENING

For Home Kit Whitening, a customised tray is made which fits nicely over your teeth. You have to wear the whitening solution either overnight when you sleep or wear it as per the manufacturer’s instructions over a period of 2 weeks. The whitening solution comes in different concentration depending on how white or light you want your teeth to be.

CHAIRSIDE WHITENING

For chairside whitening, LED or LASER is used to activate the whitening gel over 3 cycles of about 20 minute per cycle in the dental office. The result is instantaneous as compared to home kit whitening.

WHO IS SUITABLE FOR TEETH WHITENING?

Teeth whitening is not recommended for children under the age of 16. This is because the pulp chamber, or nerve of the tooth, is enlarged during this age. Teeth whitening done on children under the age of 16 could cause their teeth to become sensitive.
Individuals with sensitive teeth and gums, receding gums and/or defective restorations should consult their dentist prior to using a tooth whitening system. Anyone allergic to peroxide (the whitening agent) should not use a bleaching product.
It is advisable that teeth whitening is done only on patients with healthy teeth and gums. This mean that there should not be any gum problems and that the teeth should be decay-free or otherwise there will be irritation to the gums and teeth. In addition, before whitening is done, the teeth should be plaque/tartar free so that the whitening gel can be in contact with the teeth directly. As such, scaling and polishing needs to be done.
Teeth with uneven discolouration may not yield optimum effect with whitening as it will result in patchy teeth. Also, whitening will not work well on crowns and teeth with fillings.

The potential risks of teeth whitening

There is a risk of sensitivity especially for patients with pre-existing sensitive teeth.
The solutions used in whitening may result in irritation or ulceration to the gums.
After the whitening process you need to ensure that you avoid eating or drinking food (e.g red wine, tea, coffee, curry, green spinach etc ) that may stain your teeth so as to ensure that your teeth remain white longer (however you may need touch up kit once every 9 to 12 months to ensure whiteness).

POST TREATMENT FAQS

What are the ways to maintain and enhance the results?

Avoid dark-coloured foods and beverages as well as smoking for at least a week after whitening. Whenever possible, sip dark-coloured beverages with a straw.
Tooth bleaching can cause a temporary increase in tooth sensitivity to temperature.
Touch up kit – Apply the gel into the customised trays and insert them over your teeth after 5 days for 5-7 hours per day. You may wish to wear the trays overnight for convenience. After you have completed the touch up procedure, you may store the remaining gel in a refrigerator. You may wish to repeat the touch up procedure every 6-9 months or for 3 days before an important event that you wish to have whiter teeth for. (Whitening Gel refills may be purchased at our clinics).
Teeth will always be lighter than they were before. To keep your teeth looking their best, we recommend flossing, brushing twice daily, and schedule 6 months routine check-up.

What are the ways to reduce sensitivity in teeth?

Avoid acidic and citrus drinks and spicy foods as well as extreme hot or cold temperature foods.
Use toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
Take pain reliever medication if necessary.