Teeth Whitening
Explained

Tooth whitening can be a very effective way of lightening the natural color of your teeth without removing any of the tooth surface or damaging it. Usually the original shade of the tooth is whitened to a lighter color, rather than being turned completely white.

Bleaching should be done only under a dentist's care. Tooth sensitivity and irritation to soft tissues can occur during bleaching treatment, but these effects are transient. The effects of long-term tooth bleaching are unknown and need to be researched, especially since the effect is not permanent and many individuals end up undergoing periodic bleaching treatments.

Why would I need my teeth whitened?

As we get older our teeth get darker. This is partly due to our getting older, but it is also caused by the foods we eat and drink, and by other habits such as smoking. Tea, coffee, blackcurrant juice, red wine and other foods that have strong colors can have an effect on the overall color of our teeth. Teeth may also darken as a result of some antibiotics.

Some people naturally have a more gray shade of teeth. Other people have white spots on their teeth. This can be caused by early tooth decay, or illness when the tooth was forming.

There are a number of reasons why you might get your teeth whitened. Everyone is different; and just as our hair and skin color vary, so do our teeth. Very few people have brilliant-white teeth.

‘Calculus' or tartar can also affect the color of your teeth. Some people may have staining under the enamel surface or tiny cracks can appear in the teeth that take up stains.