Teeth Whitening Q & A

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure that restores the sparkling whiteness of healthy teeth.

The enamel that forms the rigid outer part of your teeth is hard-wearing but has a tendency to stain. Over time, this staining can make your teeth look more yellow or brown than white. If your teeth look stained, it can affect your self-confidence and make you reluctant to show off your teeth.

At Arnica Dental, Dr. Vasilev offers effective treatments that eradicate stains and give you back brilliantly white teeth, so you feel proud to smile again.

Why might I need teeth whitening?

Everyday eating and drinking can gradually cause stains to develop on your teeth, which becomes more noticeable as you get older. Teeth that are damaged or decayed also tend to stain more easily.

Regularly brushing and flossing keeps your teeth healthy, but staining can still occur and is even worse if you smoke or drink a lot of coffee, tea, or red wine.

If your teeth aren’t as white as you’d like them to be, teeth whitening is a straightforward, cost-effective solution.

What does teeth whitening involve?

Arnica Dental provides custom-made take-home trays and whitening gel that contains hydrogen peroxide. This chemical is far more potent than any over-the-counter teeth whitening gel or toothpaste.

When you apply the gel, the enamel on your teeth absorbs the hydrogen peroxide. Oxygen molecules spread through the enamel, breaking the bonds of the molecules that create the staining.

The treatment isn’t painful but may make sensitive teeth more uncomfortable for a few days after your treatment. Using toothpaste for sensitive teeth should resolve the issue.

How often should I get teeth whitening treatment?

Each patient’s teeth respond differently, so there’s no set frequency at which you should use teeth whitening treatments. When you see Dr. Vasilev, she gives you very clear guidance on how to use your at-home teeth whitening trays and can advise you how often it’s safe to repeat the treatments.

While serious side effects are most unlikely, you can cause your teeth to dehydrate if you leave the teeth whitening gel on for too long, which can increase the risk of tooth decay.

To find out more about the benefits of using take-home products, call Arnica Dental today or book an appointment online.