Teeth Whitening: All You Need To Know
Yellow or discolored teeth can be treated with whitening agents containing carbamide peroxide. Applied directly on the surfaces of the teeth, carbamide peroxide treatments can be done at home. The dentist will construct a customized tray for the patient to hold the whitening agent and advise the patient as to how long the appliance should be worn each day and the duration of the treatment. Customized dental trays help prevent the gel solution from coming in contact with soft tissue, which can cause sensitivity and irritation.
While there are many over-the-counter whitening agents, these are of much lower concentration than those prescribed by a dentist, and not all discolourations respond to treatment. Hence it is necessary to have a consultation with a dentist to see if you are suitable for the whitening procedure.
Do teeth whitening products really work?
Yes they do — in the right cases and if used in the right way. Over the counter products have much lower concentration of the active agent so they take a longer time to work. Dentist-administered products, on the other hand, have higher concentrations so the results can be seen faster – and they last longer
Do you have photos to show how much whiter the teeth can become?
We would love to show you photos of the teeth whitening we have done for our patients however, Singapore ‘s Ministry of Health regulations do not allow the display of “before and after” photos of patients on the website. Such photos are available at our clinic for your perusal.
How long will the teeth stay white?
This depends on your habits like how effectively you brush your teeth, how much coffee, tea or wine you drink and whether you smoke.
Will teeth-whitening work for everybody?
Unfortunately no.
- Teeth Whitening products work best on natural teeth that are completely sound i.e. with no fillings or crowns.
- People with deep stains caused by antibiotics may see very little enhancement.
- Teeth with uneven colours e.g. opaque white spots, cannot be changed to uniform colour.
- People with gum recession and exposed roots, or those who have worn out teeth or faulty fillings, may feel sensitivity
For these reasons, it is best to have a professional consultation to find out which method is best for you. Sometimes all you may need is a good, professional polishing to have brighter teeth!