Facial Aesthetics at Parkfield Dental

Sensitivity is much less now with modern techniques and happens much less often. If however it does occur whilst whitening there are lots of options either pre or during the treatment that our dentists can help you with.

Not all stains can be lightened by over-the-counter or professional bleaching, and your dentist will be able to give you guidance. Rest assured the dental professionals who manufacture these products have worked hard to ensure teeth whitening is both safe and effective.

We recommend the following tips to care for your teeth:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
• Cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks
• Visit your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend

Yes, tooth whitening treatments are actually very effective and impactful – especially when performed by an experienced and properly trained dental professional. Tooth whitening treatments most often uses a peroxide-based gel in order to lighten the colour of your teeth. But how exactly does this process whiten teeth? Well, when these chemicals break down, they actually release oxygen. This, in turn, get into the hard tooth surface (the enamel, in other words) and begins to whiten them. This is what makes them such a popular part of cosmetic dentistry.

There is quite a big difference between a tooth whitening treatment delivered by a dental professional and one bought over the counter, and it has a lot to do with our regulations here in the UK. In fact, shop bought home kits for tooth whitening are only allowed to contain 0.1% of hydrogen peroxide – anything above this actually against the law.

On the other hand, whitening treatments performed by certified and trained dentists can contain up to 6% of hydrogen peroxide. As such, the low levels of peroxide in home kits doesn’t achieve the same stable and long term results that professional whitening solutions do. Professional teeth whitening results in whiter teeth and is a more reliable whitening option, but this dental treatment must be dispensed by a trained professional and your suitability for the tooth whitening treatment will need to be assessed first.

Tooth whitening doesn’t actually hurt, but it is quite common to feel some sensitivity either during the treatment, or shortly afterwards. This sensitivity is entirely normal and should begin to subside over a couple of days. If it doesn’t, however, or if you are concerned about any sensitivity or pain you are experiencing, then you should get in touch with us here at Parkfield Dental. We are always on hand and our expert dentists can help to provide any extra advice you may need.

For example, it may be recommended that you try a new or different toothpaste or other dental care products in order to help reduce any sensitivity you are experiencing. However, many high quality tooth whitening treatments include anti-sensitivity ingredients in the gels in order to avoid this sensitivity from occurring.

A lot of people are actually very suitable for a professional tooth whitening treatment. However, some people may not be suitable for certain tooth whitening products if they have dental health issues such as gum disease, tooth decay and other problems. This is one of the reasons that having a professional consultation with your dentist here at Parkfield Dental is so important. In order to make sure that your teeth whitening treatment goes as well as possible, we’ll need to first assess the suitability of your teeth and the current state of your oral health. This helps us to make sure that your whitening procedure is safe and successful.

Generally speaking, teeth whitening treatments have an amazing effect. Here at Parkfield Dental, we have helped many happy patients find a whiter, brighter and more confident smile with our tooth whitening treatments. However, it is always worth knowing that the exact results of your tooth whitening will vary depending on your own individual teeth. Fortunately, when you have your professional initial consultation with your dentist here at Parkfield, we will be able to advise you on the likely results of your treatment.

When performed by trained and experienced dental professionals, the results of your tooth whitening treatment will be long lasting and enduring. If maintained and looked after properly, the results of your tooth whitening can last for years to come. Often, all you need to do to maintain these results is to carry out simple top-ups every six to nine months which you should be able to do at home. When it comes time to do this, your dentist will be able to provide you with everything you need.

The main ingredient in our teeth whitening product is usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. This is the same for most teeth whitening products on the market these days, just some will be in higher/lower concentrations than others. The biggest difference in any of these products lies within the device used to hold the whitening gel onto your teeth.In many cases this device is called a tooth whitening tray, which is a customised tray made of soft, clear plastic. It is very similar in shape and size to a gum shield – only much more precise in the way it sits against your teeth. The bespoke creation of your own tray will ensure every one of your teeth receives even and consistent coverage.

The conclusive answer is no, tooth whitening does not damage your teeth’s natural enamel. Your enamel is one of the hardest elements of your body and contains lots of tiny tubules. When you whiten a tooth you do not take the top or outer layer off, contrary to popular belief. The enamel itself is not what really stains, it is the layer of tissue under the enamel (called dentin) that absorbs the majority of any stains.

The tooth whitening process opens the pores of the outer layer and the product flows through the enamel tubules, allowing the cleaning agent to access the stains underneath. So instead of removing a layer, it bypasses the top layer to work on the stains below.

Whitening your teeth will not cause any permanent damage to your gums. Gum irritation can indeed occur as there’s a chance your gums will be sensitive to the chemicals used. This is one of the few risk factors involved with teeth whitening, but there will be no everlasting damage or concern.

Precisely fitted teeth whitening trays will help to ensure no overspill of gel occurs on your gumline. If you do get some product on your gums and experience a burning sensation you should stop treatment immediately and rinse your mouth out with warm salt water. Try using less gel in the tray with future applications. Gum irritation usually resolves itself after a few days, but please speak to the team at Parkfield Dental if you are concerned or the discomfort doesn’t go away.

Your teeth are more susceptible to stains immediately after whitening, as the pores in your teeth are more open and allow stains in more easily. So, we highly recommend whitening before bedtime as it reduces the opportunity for staining and the need for stain removal afterwards. It also provides time for your teeth to rehydrate and remineralise during the night, whilst you sleep. Our dedicated and professional dentists will of course discuss your plan of action and maintenance schedule before you leave the surgery, so you know exactly when the right times will be for you to whiten your teeth at home.

Teeth whitening procedures do not tend to work on the types of materials used to create dental crowns or fillings. They will, however, tend to stay the same colour as when you first had them put in. If you have a white crown but slightly yellowed or stained teeth, you should have the rest of your teeth whitened to match the shade of your crown.

Tooth whitening strips can be bought over the counter at most chemists and supermarkets. These do not contain the same concentration of ingredients used by our team of professional dentists – they have a much lower concentration to make them safe to sell in stores. Therefore, while tooth whitening strips may help to lift some surface stains, they are nowhere near as effective as having your teeth professionally whitened here at Parkfield Dental Practice Didsbury.

It is illegal for non-dental professionals to carry out teeth whitening treatments. They do not have the skills or expertise to properly assess your mouth prior to any treatment. It may be the case that you have other problems or underlying issues that need addressing before tooth whitening is suitable. The condition of your enamel may even make you unsuitable for certain methods of teeth whitening, so it is always best to consult a professional dentist.