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Restoring your appearance may be simpler than you think if your teeth are stained and you refuse to smile. We give you the lowdown on several tooth-whitening methods on trial.
Are you a smoker? And a lover of red wine and strong coffee, chocolate and tomato-based pasta? Do you sometimes neglect to brush your teeth before going to bed? If so, you probably struggle with yellow teeth – the perfect confidence-killer and a sure way to keep you from smiling at strangers.
Do something
Teeth-whitening is a solution and will likely be a watershed experience. Soon you will find yourself actively caring for your pearly whites – for exactly that reason: they are shiny and white!
It is normal for teeth to discolour as we get older because tooth enamel is porous. The simple fact is: if it stains a white shirt it will probably stain your teeth.
Either you grin (or not) and bear the inevitable discoloration or you do something about it.
If you opt for a brighter future brace yourself for the overwhelming number of whitening treatments from which to choose.
At home or in the chair? Quick-fix or slow-and-sure? Simple or inconvenient? Cut-price or costly?
Here’s what you need to know before making a decision:
Professional treatments
Option1: Veneers
Performed by a dentist, a dental veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that fits over damaged or discoloured teeth.
The application process requires two trips to the dentist. On the first visit, the dentist assesses your problem and prepares your teeth. A mould of the discoloured teeth is taken and sent to the lab where half-millimetre thick veneers are made (this takes a week or two).
On the second visit the veneers are fitted to the teeth with a bonding agent.
The pros
• Porcelain isn’t susceptible to decay or staining – although if you don’t look after your teeth afterwards, decay and staining can develop around the edges of veneers.
• With care, veneers can last longer than any other cosmetic whitening option – up to 15 years.
• No sensitivity is experienced.
The cons
• It’s the most expensive treatment. Some patients choose to have veneers only for their most discoloured teeth because of the cost.
• Veneers are not generally recommended for children. Children’s teeth are still emerging, so the point where the edge of the veneer meets the gum margin will be a few millimetres away from the gum within a matter of years.
• The procedure generally isn’t reversible.
Option 2: Britesmile
This popular procedure, performed by a dental hygienist, uses a hydrogen peroxide gel and gentle plasma light to whiten teeth. The gel and light are applied during three 20-minute sessions on the same day.
Retractors are used to pull your cheeks and lips away from your teeth; your gums are protected by a soft plastic-like substance that prevents any irritation from the peroxide. You also wear goggles.
The Britesmile procedure removes both the stubborn, deeper stains known as intrinsic stains and the obvious surface stains known as extrinsic stains. For 24 hours after the procedure your teeth are more susceptible to staining so smoking and all foods with colourants (including tea, coffee, red wine and chocolate) should be avoided.
The pros
• The results are immediate and can last up to five years.
• Because the procedure is done by a dental professional, the sensitive areas are protected during treatment to help reduce sensitivity. This cannot be done with DIY products. If sensitivity occurs after the Britesmile procedure, it lasts for a few hours and mild painkillers provide relief.
The cons
• It can’t change the colour of crowns, veneers or fillings. These are non-porous and cannot be affected by the product.
• It’s not recommended for those with braces or anyone younger than 16 because practitioners prefer the teeth to be fully developed.
• Claustrophobic patients should note that the plasma light is placed very close to the face – almost over the whole mouth and nose area – for 20 minutes at a time. This might be uncomfortable for some.
• If you suffer from severe tooth decay, this will have to be rectified before the whitening procedure.
Option 3: Whitening gel and guard
This is a pre-mixed gel, containing carbamide peroxide, which is applied to the teeth to whiten the enamel. It can be applied using a generic over-the-counter mouth guard, which is placed over the teeth. This should be done daily for 15-minute periods for about two weeks, but treatment times and strengths vary.
You can buy this DIY product at most chemists and health and beauty stores but your dentist can also make a custom-fitted mouth guard and gel for you to take home – this option is likely to be more effective than the store-bought product.
Your dentist or dental hygienist will be able to give you advice if you’d like to go for this option.
The pros
• If it’s done by a dentist who will be able to mix a milder gel, this procedure is suitable for children too.
The cons
• The DIY mouth guard and gel can be uncomfortable and messy.
• The results are not immediate and it’s easy to get discouraged.
• Some people experience gum irritation, either from an ill-fitting guard or the solution coming into contact with gum tissue.
• It can’t whiten crowns, veneers or fillings.
• The treatment has to be repeated every six to eight months to maintain the result.
Option 4: Whitening toothpaste
Whitening toothpastes remove surface stains by means of mild abrasives – usually small, rough particles in the paste. These whiteners don’t as a rule contain hydrogen peroxide but do remove stains on the outer surfaces.
The pros
• This is the cheapest tooth-whitening option.
• It’s ideal for those who still have white teeth and want to maintain their good appearance.
• The toothpastes seldom cause sensitivity or irritation unless you have extremely sensitive teeth.
The cons
• It takes a long time before the results are noticeable.
• The difference isn’t really pronounced, irrespective of how long the product is used.
• Improvements are lost if you stop using the toothpaste.
Option 5: Whitening mouthwash
Some whitening mouthwashes contain hydrogen peroxide, which may improve surface stains. Generally though the antibacterial effect of the mouthwash, like the toothpaste, helps to remove surface build-up and reduces the chance of further stains and discoloration. Daily use is recommended.
The pros
• It works well as a maintenance treatment if you’ve already had your teeth professionally whitened or are using whitening toothpaste.
• It won’t cause pain or discomfort and can be easily included in your daily dental-hygiene routine.
The cons
• It’s the least effective tooth-whitening option.
• It might be cheaper (and the results will last longer) if you have your teeth professionally whitened instead of continuously buying mouthwash.
Are you a smoker? And a lover of red wine and strong coffee, chocolate and tomato-based pasta? Do you sometimes neglect to brush your teeth before going to bed? If so, you probably struggle with yellow teeth – the perfect confidence-killer and a sure way to keep you from smiling at strangers.
Do something
Teeth-whitening is a solution and will likely be a watershed experience. Soon you will find yourself actively caring for your pearly whites – for exactly that reason: they are shiny and white!
It is normal for teeth to discolour as we get older because tooth enamel is porous. The simple fact is: if it stains a white shirt it will probably stain your teeth.
Either you grin (or not) and bear the inevitable discoloration or you do something about it.
If you opt for a brighter future brace yourself for the overwhelming number of whitening treatments from which to choose.
At home or in the chair? Quick-fix or slow-and-sure? Simple or inconvenient? Cut-price or costly?
Here’s what you need to know before making a decision:
Professional treatments
Option1: Veneers
Performed by a dentist, a dental veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that fits over damaged or discoloured teeth.
The application process requires two trips to the dentist. On the first visit, the dentist assesses your problem and prepares your teeth. A mould of the discoloured teeth is taken and sent to the lab where half-millimetre thick veneers are made (this takes a week or two).
On the second visit the veneers are fitted to the teeth with a bonding agent.
The pros
• Porcelain isn’t susceptible to decay or staining – although if you don’t look after your teeth afterwards, decay and staining can develop around the edges of veneers.
• With care, veneers can last longer than any other cosmetic whitening option – up to 15 years.
• No sensitivity is experienced.
The cons
• It’s the most expensive treatment. Some patients choose to have veneers only for their most discoloured teeth because of the cost.
• Veneers are not generally recommended for children. Children’s teeth are still emerging, so the point where the edge of the veneer meets the gum margin will be a few millimetres away from the gum within a matter of years.
• The procedure generally isn’t reversible.
Option 2: Britesmile
This popular procedure, performed by a dental hygienist, uses a hydrogen peroxide gel and gentle plasma light to whiten teeth. The gel and light are applied during three 20-minute sessions on the same day.
Retractors are used to pull your cheeks and lips away from your teeth; your gums are protected by a soft plastic-like substance that prevents any irritation from the peroxide. You also wear goggles.
The Britesmile procedure removes both the stubborn, deeper stains known as intrinsic stains and the obvious surface stains known as extrinsic stains. For 24 hours after the procedure your teeth are more susceptible to staining so smoking and all foods with colourants (including tea, coffee, red wine and chocolate) should be avoided.
The pros
• The results are immediate and can last up to five years.
• Because the procedure is done by a dental professional, the sensitive areas are protected during treatment to help reduce sensitivity. This cannot be done with DIY products. If sensitivity occurs after the Britesmile procedure, it lasts for a few hours and mild painkillers provide relief.
The cons
• It can’t change the colour of crowns, veneers or fillings. These are non-porous and cannot be affected by the product.
• It’s not recommended for those with braces or anyone younger than 16 because practitioners prefer the teeth to be fully developed.
• Claustrophobic patients should note that the plasma light is placed very close to the face – almost over the whole mouth and nose area – for 20 minutes at a time. This might be uncomfortable for some.
• If you suffer from severe tooth decay, this will have to be rectified before the whitening procedure.
Option 3: Whitening gel and guard
This is a pre-mixed gel, containing carbamide peroxide, which is applied to the teeth to whiten the enamel. It can be applied using a generic over-the-counter mouth guard, which is placed over the teeth. This should be done daily for 15-minute periods for about two weeks, but treatment times and strengths vary.
You can buy this DIY product at most chemists and health and beauty stores but your dentist can also make a custom-fitted mouth guard and gel for you to take home – this option is likely to be more effective than the store-bought product.
Your dentist or dental hygienist will be able to give you advice if you’d like to go for this option.
The pros
• If it’s done by a dentist who will be able to mix a milder gel, this procedure is suitable for children too.
The cons
• The DIY mouth guard and gel can be uncomfortable and messy.
• The results are not immediate and it’s easy to get discouraged.
• Some people experience gum irritation, either from an ill-fitting guard or the solution coming into contact with gum tissue.
• It can’t whiten crowns, veneers or fillings.
• The treatment has to be repeated every six to eight months to maintain the result.
Option 4: Whitening toothpaste
Whitening toothpastes remove surface stains by means of mild abrasives – usually small, rough particles in the paste. These whiteners don’t as a rule contain hydrogen peroxide but do remove stains on the outer surfaces.
The pros
• This is the cheapest tooth-whitening option.
• It’s ideal for those who still have white teeth and want to maintain their good appearance.
• The toothpastes seldom cause sensitivity or irritation unless you have extremely sensitive teeth.
The cons
• It takes a long time before the results are noticeable.
• The difference isn’t really pronounced, irrespective of how long the product is used.
• Improvements are lost if you stop using the toothpaste.
Option 5: Whitening mouthwash
Some whitening mouthwashes contain hydrogen peroxide, which may improve surface stains. Generally though the antibacterial effect of the mouthwash, like the toothpaste, helps to remove surface build-up and reduces the chance of further stains and discoloration. Daily use is recommended.
The pros
• It works well as a maintenance treatment if you’ve already had your teeth professionally whitened or are using whitening toothpaste.
• It won’t cause pain or discomfort and can be easily included in your daily dental-hygiene routine.
The cons
• It’s the least effective tooth-whitening option.
• It might be cheaper (and the results will last longer) if you have your teeth professionally whitened instead of continuously buying mouthwash.
