Got a big birthday coming up and want your smile to look its best?
Maybe you want your teeth to match the pearly white of your wedding dress, or need your smile to look perfect for your graduation photos?
Whatever reason you want to improve the appearance of your smile for, having your teeth whitened is sure to help boost your smile confidence ready for your big day.
Teeth whitening in Cornwall is the best way to remove stains and restore your teeth to their dazzling white colour.
But with so many different teeth whitening treatments available, it can be difficult to know whether at-home or in-practice solutions are best.
In this post, our experts here at Revitalise Dental Centre go through the pros and cons of in-practice and at-home or over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments, to give you a better idea of which is most suited to you and your needs.
What teeth whitening treatments are available at the dentist?
Different dental practices offer different types of teeth whitening, but all of them are incredibly effective.
Here at Revitalise Dental, we’re an official provider of Boutique Whitening, which is a non-invasive course of teeth whitening that you can complete from the comfort of your own home.
We’ll provide the whitening gel and custom-made trays for you to wear for a couple of hours each day (or at night whilst you sleep, if you prefer) for you to start seeing results within a few weeks.
Once you’ve completed your initial teeth whitening course, we can provide top-up kits for you to keep on top of your results – so you never have to deal with stained, discoloured teeth or the dented confidence that comes with this again!
Are teeth whitening strips safe?
Many people with mild stains and discolouration opt for shop-bought whitening strips to improve the appearance of their teeth.
This is a much more affordable option – when used correctly, it is safe for occasional use and can actually be quite effective at removing stains from the surface of your teeth.
However, if you suffer from deep intrinsic staining (staining beneath the surface of the tooth) they may not be the best option, and it would be better to seek a professional, in-practice teeth whitening treatment. Our dentists will be able to provide you with a treatment plan to help with intrinsic staining and improve oral hygiene with regular dental hygiene appointments.
Does teeth whitening damage enamel?
All teeth whitening solutions have the potential to cause tooth sensitivity, but this doesn’t mean that they cause any damage to the enamel (the protective outer covering of your tooth).
The carefully formulated bleaching agent penetrates the enamel, leaving it completely unscathed and in perfect condition, to remove staining underneath.
However, this isn’t to say that it doesn’t cause any damage at all.
Some whitening products, particularly those that can be purchased over the counter, contain high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. When used too often, this can weaken your teeth’s protective coating and cause irreversible damage.
The at-home whitening solutions we provide here at Revitalise Dental Centre come with detailed instructions (and a demonstration if necessary) so that you can whiten your teeth safely without damaging them in the process.
Sensitivity from tooth whitening
As we mentioned above, teeth whitening treatments, be it dentist-led or store-bought, have the potential to cause some tooth sensitivity.
This is completely normal and happens as a result of the bleaching agent soaking through your enamel and exposing the nerves in your dentine (the part of the tooth underneath the enamel).
Any sensitivity should ease up by itself within a couple of days, but in the meantime, you should avoid extremely hot or cold foods and beverages, drink through a straw, and brush gently with fluoride toothpaste to remineralise your teeth.
Can teeth whitening damage gums?
Gum irritation is another risk factor of teeth whitening treatments of all varieties.
This won’t cause any permanent damage, but it may be a little uncomfortable and feel comparable to a sunburn.
Rinsing your mouth with salt water should help relieve some of the discomfort you experience (if any), or you can take some over-the-counter pain medication to offset any burning sensations.
Why choose professional teeth whitening treatments?
It’s no secret that shop-bought teeth whitening treatments can cause some unnecessary side effects. But when you choose professional, dentist-led treatments, you can bypass this risk.
Professional teeth whitening is also much more customisable and can be tailored to meet your specific needs.
Of course, you’ll also have constant support from your dentist throughout your treatment, ensuring you get the best possible results.
Interested in professional teeth whitening treatments?
There’s no denying how much a pearly white smile can boost your confidence. So, no matter the reason you want to whiten your teeth, we’re always here and more than happy to help.
To find out more about the teeth whitening treatments available at our dentist in Cornwall, or to book a consultation with our team, give us a call today on 01872 480 128, or email us at [email protected] and we’ll be in touch with further details shortly.
