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5 Things You Need to Know About Teeth Whitening
This article outlines five essential facts to understand before starting teeth whitening treatment. It begins by explaining why teeth become stained, noting that enamel contains microscopic pores that trap pigments from foods, drinks, smoking, medication, and illness. Over time, this leads to dull or discoloured teeth. Whitening treatments work by using hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to break down and remove these stains gradually. The article highlights that professional whitening can be carried out at home using Enlighten, a dentist-supervised system that achieves the lightest natural shade of white. Custom-made trays are created to fit your teeth precisely, ensuring the whitening gel stays safely in place throughout the two-week treatment period. Safety is a key focus. While peroxide can be harmful if misused, professional whitening is safe because it is carefully monitored by a qualified dentist who provides clear instructions and ongoing support. In contrast, shop-bought kits lack professional supervision and custom trays, increasing the risk of irritation or damage if the gel leaks. Effectiveness is another major point. Whitening toothpastes and DIY kits offer limited results and may even damage enamel due to abrasive ingredients or weak peroxide concentrations. Enlighten, by comparison, delivers predictable, long-lasting results. Finally, the article clarifies that whitening treatments only work on natural tooth enamel. Dental restorations such as crowns, veneers, fillings, and bridges will not change colour, so treatment planning is essential to ensure a uniform smile. Overall, the article reassures patients that professional whitening is a safe, effective way to restore confidence and achieve a brighter, healthier-looking smile.
5 Things You Need to Know About Teeth Whitening
Is the shine in your smile dimming? If your teeth are lacklustre, there are several potential causes. Coffee, tea, red wine, beetroot, soy sauce, dark berries, cigarettes, illness, medication, call all stain and discolour your teeth.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are simple and effective ways to brighten your smile. At Harley Private Dental, we offer Enlighten: a professional whitening treatment that delivers exceptional results.
Before your treatment, you may wonder how teeth whitening works, how safe it is, and how we brighten your smile.
Five things you need to know about teeth whitening.
1. Teeth Whitening Removes Stains
You can’t see them, but your teeth have tiny pores similar to those on the surface of your skin. Like the pores on your skin, the ones on your teeth can trap in dirt. Microscopic particles from food and beverages get stuck in the pores, leaving your teeth stained and discoloured.
Teeth whitening treatments use either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to remove stains gradually and brighten your smile.
2. You Can Whiten Your Smile at Home
We use Enlighten, a popular whitening treatment that brightens your smile. Enlighten can achieve the lightest natural shade of white possible. Best of all, you’ll whiten your smile from home.
Before your treatment, we’ll get custom whitening trays made. These will perfectly fit your teeth and hold the whitening treatment safely in place while it works its magic. The treatment will take around two weeks.
3. Professional Whitening Treatments Are Safe
Because the active ingredient in whitening treatments is peroxide, you may have some safety concerns. If it’s not used correctly, peroxide can cause health complications. As a professionally administered whitening treatment, it’s safe.
Ahead of your treatment, we’ll talk you through everything you need to know about adding whitening gel to your custom trays. We’re also on hand to help you throughout the process and complete the treatment with one final whitening session in our clinic.
On the other hand, store-bought whitening treatments don’t come with the support of a qualified dental professional. Not only that but without custom-made trays to hold the whitening solution, you’re at an increased risk of harming your smile if any gel leaks.
4. Professional Whitening Treatments Are Effective
There are lots of whitening treatments on the market, including toothpaste and shop-bought kits. Before trying these treatments, it’s important to know that none are as effective as Enlighten.
Whitening toothpaste is designed to lift stains off your teeth, leaving them looking whiter, but their effects are minimal. This type of product also contains abrasive ingredients like charcoal to loosen the stains. The problem with abrasive toothpaste is it can damage the enamel on your teeth.
Store or internet-bought peroxide treatments contain such low doses of their active ingredients. This means that they don’t have the desired impact.
5. You Can’t Whiten Prosthetics
Teeth whitening treatments can only brighten enamel. This means that if you have veneers, crowns, dental bridges, inlays, or fillings, they won’t whiten.
If you’re planning on getting veneers, or any other kind of prosthetic treatment, talk to us about this before your whitening treatment starts, as we can colour-match your new smile.
Professional Teeth Whitening at Harley Private Dental
A bright, healthy smile restores confidence and looks great. With Enlighten teeth whitening at Harley Private Dental, you can have a stunning smile in no time!
Call us today to schedule your teeth whitening consultation in Sheffield.
