People have been using different types of peroxide to whiten teeth since the 1880s. After years of trial and error, with lots of damaged teeth and sore gums, researchers in the 1980s developed two safe and effective methods of whitening teeth. Those methods have been tested and refined even further over the past 25 years.
The whitening treatment we recommend at Westridge Dental is the safest and most effective. But even then, it’s not for everyone. Talk to your dentist before you start any kind of tooth whitening program – professional advice will save you money and problems in the long term.
The Best Way to Achieve Whiter Teeth
Step 1: Take photographic records in order to have a comparison from the start.
Step 2: Have teeth cleaned professionally to get rid of tartar build up and start fresh.
Step 3: Have custom mouth trays made by your dentist – these will fit snugly and make the process more comfortable and effective
Step 4: Use a bleaching agent in the trays daily as instructed.
• Night time: Carbamide Peroxide
• Day time: Hydrogen Peroxide.
Step 5: A little patience is required – Upper teeth normally take two to three weeks to achieve goals and lower teeth take three weeks – a little longer due to salivary washout.
Older teeth can take longer to whiten.
Maintenance of Your New White Teeth
• The whitening treatment can last up to 17 years depending on your diet and cleaning routine.
• Take note of foods that stain teeth especially sugary and acidic foods like soft drink, vinegars and citrus as well as red wine, coffee, black tea, soy sauce and some dark berries. (Nicotine will also stain teeth but you already knew that!)
• Top-ups usually only take three to seven days to achieve your original goal.
• Whitening teeth can cause tooth sensitivity which is relieved by applying a special toothpaste as an ointment.
Warning Blue Light Treatment
They might be advertised all over social media but be warned about “blue light” whitening systems: they are proven to damage teeth. Sure the blue light speeds up the whitening process by using heat, but that heat will cause long term damage and severe tooth sensitivity.