279 Alcester Road
Drakes Way,
Hollywood
Birmingham,
B47 5HJ
Tel: 01564 824466
Treatments - tooth whitening
There is significant evidence that up to 70% of people believe that a healthy Smile could make you more successful yet an astonishing 53% are not happy with how their smile looked.
The number one recognized characteristic of an individual is their smile. Social, professional and economic success many times is directly attributed to appearance, yet for many people who are attempting to advance themselves, no attention is paid to the critical importance of their smile.
Billions of pounds every year is spent on clothes, cosmetics and hair care products that are designed to make us more attractive, be more competitive, feel sexier and become more successful. In fact all of these products are irrelevant to the most recognized characteristic we value as a society; a healthy, attractive smile!
You smile conveys happy emotions, warmth and confidence. It can give a feeling of health, beauty and youth and can help you negotiate your way through life.
First impressions are important, whether you are meeting friends, going for an interview, or making a business deal. Research shows that a smile increases trust in interactions with other people and that it requires less effort to achieve successful communication with a smile.
Tooth whitening has been available in the USA for over 10 years and is becoming more common amongst the image conscious in the UK. Professional tooth whitening is simple and painless and will produce a shade lift of eight shades on average.
A healthy, confident and attractive smile is the foundation for insuring optimal self-confidence. Look at the Colour of your teeth when shaving or putting on your make up. Could they be whiter? Would you like a more attractive smile?
The professional whitening process
Your gums are protected with a gel, which is painted on.
A light sensitive gel is painted on to the teeth.
A 'light' is focused on the teeth for 15 minutes.
The gel is removed and reapplied for two further sessions.
75 minutes of treatment.
No injections. No drilling. No pain.
Zoom tooth whitening
Your smile is important. It's one of the first things you notice when you meet someone. A whiter, brighter smile is beautiful - it can help you feel better about yourself and make a memorable impression
Your lifestyle and the aging process can stain and darken your teeth. Many things we do on a regular basis can contribute to stained teeth, such as drinking coffee, tea, cola and red wine or smoking.
Whitening can get your smile looking its best. You should look for a whitening procedure that is:
Tooth whitening can be a highly effective way of lightening the natural colour of your teeth without removing any of the tooth surface. It cannot make a complete colour change; but it will lighten the existing shade.
Why would I want 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. Your teeth can also be stained on the surface through food and drinks such as tea, coffee, red wine and blackcurrant. Smoking can also stain teeth. Calculus or tartar can also affect the colour of teeth. Some people may have staining under the surface, which can be caused by certain antibiotics or tiny cracks in the teeth which take up stains.
What does whitening involve?
Professional bleaching is the most common form of tooth whitening. Your dentist will be able to tell you if you are suitable for the treatment, and will supervise it if you are. First the dentist will put a rubber shield or a gel on your gums to protect the soft tissue. They will then apply the whitening product to your teeth, using a specially made tray which fits into your mouth like a gum-shield. 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 it take?
The total treatment can usually be done within three to four weeks. First, you will need two or three visits to the dentist. Your dentist will need to make a mouth-guard and will take impressions for this at the first appointment. Once your dentist 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, according at your dentist's directions.
How long will it last?
The effects of whitening can last up to three years. However, this will vary from person to person. The effect is less likely to last as long if you smoke, or eat or drink products that can stain your teeth. Ask your dentist for their opinion before you start the treatment.
Are there any side effects?
Some people may find that their teeth become sensitive to cold during or after the treatment. Others report discomfort in the gums, a sore throat or white patches on the gum line. These symptoms are usually temporary and should disappear within a few days of the treatment finishing.
What about home bleaching?
Home kits are cheaper. But because tooth whitening is a complicated procedure you should only have it done by a dentist, after a thorough examination and assessment of your teeth. Over-the-counter kits sold in the UK are not recommended as they usually contain only a small concentration of hydrogen peroxide (the whitening product). The legal limit in the UK is 0.1% of hydrogen peroxide and effective bleaching products need to have about 3.6%. So home kits will not be able to lighten your teeth noticeably. Also, some contain mild acids and others are abrasive. This can cause ulcers and damage to the gums if the product is not used properly There are several whitening toothpastes on the market. Although they do not affect the natural colour of your teeth, they may be effective at removing staining and therefore may improve the overall appearance of your teeth. Whitening toothpaste may also help the effect last, once your teeth have been professionally whitened.
When might it not work?
Tooth whitening can only lighten your existing tooth colour. Also it only works on natural teeth. It will not work on any types of 'false' teeth such as dentures, crowns and veneers. If your dentures are stained or discoloured visit your dentist and ask for them to be cleaned. Stained veneers, crowns or dentures may need replacing; again ask your dentist.
