Making a good impression is important with your smile being one of the first things people notice, and in the pursuit of a brighter smile, teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic procedure across the globe.
Whiter teeth also enhance your appearance, boost confidence, and make you look younger. If you are interested in this treatment and want more details, let’s explore the pros and cons of teeth whitening.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure using peroxide to lighten teeth without removing tooth enamel and typically delivers immediate results.
Dentists use teeth whitening products containing hydrogen or carbamide peroxide to remove stains and discolouration from the teeth. Before the whitening process, you will have a consultation with a dentist who will check your oral health and discuss the course of action to get the desired results.
The two types of whitening treatments available from a dentist are a professional procedure and an at-home treatment. Not all teeth will benefit from a whitening treatment, and alternatives include porcelain veneers, crowns, or composite bonding.
Professional Teeth Whitening Vs At-Home-Teeth-Whitening-Kit
Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening performed by a dentist is a quick process usually lasting around one hour, achieving results of up to eight shades lighter in one treatment.
At-Home-Teeth-Whitening-Kit
A dentist will scan your upper and lower teeth to make impressions of your teeth for custom-fit trays. When you pick up your at-home teeth whitening kit, your dentist will check they fit and are comfortable and give instructions on how to use it.
Unlike professional whitening, which is one treatment, depending on your dentist’s advice, at-home kits generally require the trays to be worn for around an hour a day for two weeks.
In a nutshell, at-home treatments are a more affordable option but take up more time and effort than a professional whitening treatment, which is quicker and delivers better results.
The Pros and Cons of Teeth Whitening
What are the Pros of Teeth Whitening?
- Brighter Teeth– Professional dental whitening makes a significant change to the appearance of your smile. The treatment removes surface stains and discolouration and brightens teeth up to 8 shades lighter.
- Enhances Appearance-A whiter smile can make you feel more attractive and youthful!!
- Quick Procedure– A professional teeth whitening treatment generally lasts around one hour.
- Safe Treatment–Teeth whitening is a non-invasive, straightforward procedure with minimal chance of tooth damage when performed by a dentist
- Fast Results-After a professional teeth whitening treatment at a dental clinic, the results are noticeable instantly, compared to at-home kits, which take up to several weeks to deliver results.
- Different Options Available-Teeth whitening is done in various ways, either at a dental clinic or with an at-home kit provided by a dentist. You can also purchase over-the-counter products such as whitening strips and toothpaste.
What are the Cons of Teeth Whitening?
- Tooth Sensitivity– Some people can feel sensitivity during the treatment and after, especially with hot and cold foods.
- Gum Irritation-Whitening peroxides can irritate the gum tissue, causing temporary discomfort and inflammation. This is most likely to happen when using over-the-counter kits, as the trays are not customised for your teeth, increasing the small risk of bleaching chemicals coming into contact with the gums.
- Temporary Results– A professional teeth whitening treatment is not a permanent solution and generally lasts 6 months to 3 years with proper maintenance.
- Not Effective on All Teeth-People with severe staining or discolouration may not benefit from this treatment, and whitening peroxides are not effective on fillings, crowns, caps and veneers.
- Cost–The average cost of a professional teeth whitening treatment in the UK ranges from £350-£1000 depending on your requirements and location. At-home kits from a dentist range from £150-£400, and there may also be an additional consultation fee to factor in.
Dos and Don’t After Teeth Whitening
We have covered the pros and cons of teeth whitening, but what cannot you not do in the first couple of days after whitening your teeth?
For 48 hours, following “the White Diet” is advised, which focuses on food and drinks that are white or light in colour, such as fish, pasta with white sauce, white rice, white cheeses, yoghurt, tofu, and skinless chicken breasts. Water and milk are the best options to drink.
Food and Drink to Avoid After Whitening Your Teeth
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Coffee
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Black Tea
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Red Wine
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Beer
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Fizzy Drinks
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Fruit Juice
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Soy Sauce
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Cured Meats
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Chocolate
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Curry Powder
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Tomato Sauce
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Sugary Foods
After 48 hours, you can start introducing lighter-coloured fruits, such as bananas and apples, and dairy products that help strengthen your teeth. After eating or drinking something you think may stain your teeth, brush and rinse your mouth within 20 minutes.
How to Keep Your Teeth White
Various factors cause the natural whiteness of teeth to fade, including smoking, consuming food and drink that stain your teeth, poor oral hygiene, age and genetics.
Over time, teeth can turn yellow due to the enamel wearing down to reveal the “dentin” underneath, the inner part of the tooth made up of calcified tissue. Dentin is naturally yellow in appearance and affects the colour of teeth if exposed. To keep your pearly whites healthy and bright, follow the steps below.
A Good Oral Hygiene Routine-Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily, which is integral for healthy teeth and gums, also have regular dental cleanings.
Minimise Food and Drink That Stain Teeth– When drinking pigmented drinks such as coffee, use a straw to reduce the amount of liquid your teeth come into contact with.
Don’t Smoke-Tobacco not only stains the teeth but is associated with health risks such as gum disease and oral cancer, so avoid, avoid, avoid!
Use a Whitening Toothpaste-Brushing your teeth twice a day with whitening toothpaste is a great way to remove stains accumulated on the teeth.
Drink More Water-H2O is essential for overall health, and sipping water in between drinking the usual offenders, such as red wine and coffee, helps wash pigmented liquids from the tooth’s surface.
Most experts agree that a professional laser teeth whitening treatment is the best option to deliver longer-lasting results. At-home kits are effective but cannot compete with a professional whitening procedure that can get teeth up to eight shades lighter.
After running through the pros and cons of teeth whitening, the overall conclusion is, that it is an effective and safe way to achieve a brighter smile. Although teeth whitening is considered a safe procedure, there are potential side effects, such as tooth sensitivity or irritated gums, which is why it is necessary to have a consultation with your dentist before your treatment.
Disclaimer: The content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified dentists with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
