Teeth Whitening

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What is Teeth Whitening?

Often we look at our reflection and wonder how our smile has faded. Over time our teeth stain and discolour naturally, especially if we frequently eat or drink staining foods like tea, coffee, curry and blackcurrant. It is completely natural, but it can make you feel like not showing off your teeth. 

Tooth whitening will not harm your teeth or gums and can bring back that lighter, whiter colour to your teeth. We offer a range of options for whitening here at Colosseum Dental.

We follow recognised tooth-whitening procedures that have been proven to be safe, do not harm the teeth or enamelHard calcified tissue covering dentin of the crown of tooth.. One thing to bear in mind is that tooth whitening only lightens natural living teeth. This means that any other dental work in your mouth, such as crowns or fillings, will not change colour after the treatment. 

If you have a few crowns or fillings it is a good idea to talk to you dentist about how you can also lighten the colour of these to give you a consistent colour on all your teeth. Read how teeth whitening works on our dental health page.

Teeth Whitening at the Dentist

Once your dentist has checked that there are no other dental issues your treatment can begin. You use a whitener at home, as well as receiving treatment with your Dentist, so impressions of your teeth will be taken to make the whitening trays for this. 

During the whitening with your Dentist your gums will be protected using a paint on gel, making sure that the whitening gel sits only on your teeth. The whole process usually takes about 1 ¼ hours and your teeth will appear lighter at the end of that appointment. You will need to use home trays for a few days to top up that initial result.


Teeth Whitening at home

Once your dentist has fully checked that there are no dental issues which would prevent you having tooth whitening, impressions of your mouth will be taken. The dental laboratory will then make whitening trays which are specific to your mouth which usually takes 1-2 weeks. 

Your dentist will check that the trays fit correctly and also demonstrate how to use the at home whitening gels. The trays can be worn for a few hours each day or even overnight and usually within 2 weeks you will see a whiter smile. 

How should you care for your teeth after whitening treatment?

You will lose one shade of lightness as your teeth re-hydrate and form a new saliva layer over your whitened teeth. 

You must also avoid any staining foods or liquids such as tea, coffee, tobacco, cola, curries, vegetables etc., in the first 24 hours. Try to stick to only white or clear products. A good rule of thumb is to avoid anything that would stain a white shirt!

After 24 hours we recommend reducing the frequency of staining foods and drinks, and rinsing out your mouth with water after tea, coffee, smoking etc. Use a whitening toothpaste that isn’t abrasive, ideally 3 times a day, and floss your teeth once a day too, for best, longest-lasting whitening results.

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Brilliant dentist i suffer from server anxiety and my dentist was very caring and my treatment was the best. I highly recommend this dentist. Thank you Christina
Ally McGarrity - Frinton Dental Clinic

Frequently asked questions

What is tooth whitening?
Tooth whitening is an effective way of lightening the natural colour of your teeth without removing the tooth’s surface. It’s worth bearing in mind the treatment can’t make a complete colour change, but it will lighten the existing shade.
Why might I want to whiten my teeth?
Just as hair and skin colour vary, so does the colour of our teeth. Let’s face it, there are very few people who have naturally brilliant-white teeth, and it’s natural for our teeth to become discoloured with age.

Food and drinks such as tea, coffee, red wine and blackcurrant can internally stain our teeth, as can smoking and calculus (tartar). Some people may experience staining under the surface of the tooth, which can be caused by certain antibiotics or by tiny cracks in the teeth which stain.

The best way to have your teeth whitened is to visit your dentist. There are several online teeth whitening sets or Do-It-Yourself sets from shops, however, these can carry risks such as blisters forming in your mouth due to a poorly fitted mouthguard. Additionally, it is illegal for beauty salons to carry out tooth whitening, so be very careful about where you go to have the treatment done.

The best people to do this are dentists or other dental professionals who have been suitably trained in whitening. During your session, the dentist will get an impression of your teeth and make a whitening tray that is perfectly fitted. They will then explain how whitening gel works and when to use it. Most often, you should be using the whitening tray and gel for a suggested period over 2-4 weeks, however, it could be longer. If you still have any questions, please book a consultation with your dentist who can answer these concerns.


 
How safe is the treatment and is there anything else I should know?
We follow recognised tooth whitening procedures that have been proven to be safe and do not harm the teeth or enamel. The gums, though, do need protection and this is provided by your whitening device, which only allows the gel to be in contact with your teeth and not the gums. Sometimes some temporary sensitivity is felt during and after treatment, but rarely lasts beyond 24 hours – this is the whitening gel inside the tooth still finishing off its whitening reaction and lightening the teeth. Sensitivity symptoms are easily controlled by filling your whitening device with desensitizing toothpaste for 5-10 minutes.
How much does teeth whitening cost?
Teeth whitening is available from £199. To get a full cost for teeth whitening, please book an appointment with your dentist and they will be able to explain the procedure in full, check your suitability and discuss costs.

You can find more details about dental finance on our payment options page. We offer 0% interest 12 month finance plans through our finance provider - Tabeo - for treatments over £250.
What is home tooth whitening?
Home whitening involves wearing a made- to-measure whitening device that will fit over your teeth filled with whitening gel for 2-4 hours a day for 2-4 weeks, or all night to a maximum of 4 nights. It can easily be topped up by further applications of the gel in the future. To get the best results you’ll need to follow the instructions given by your dentist.
Is teeth whitening right for you?
Your dentist will need to assess your teeth to make sure that you are suitable for the treatment. Patients must be over 16 to have any tooth whitening treatment. 
How long will my teeth stay whiter?
The effects of tooth whitening is entirely dependent on your lifestyle and teeth’s own characteristics, however, two years is the average. The effect is less likely to last as long if you smoke, or eat or drink products that can stain your teeth.

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