Teeth Whitening

By Amanda Bown

Get whiter teeth as we investigate teeth whitening options to suit your budget and time. From in-surgery treatments and take-home kits to specialist toothpastes, 4Beauty has got it covered.

How Teeth Get Stained

Few people have brilliant white teeth, and as we age our teeth become discoloured. Add in lifestyle factors, such as smoking and food and drinks like tea, coffee, red wine, and blackcurrant juice and our teeth just aren't as pearly white as they were. The build-up of tartar (calculus) can also affect tooth colour, as does tiny cracks in teeth, which take on stains.

Whitening Toothpaste

You may be under the impression these products actually 'whiten' your teeth, but their functioning level is to reduce stains on the tooth's surface, not change the actual colour of tooth enamel.

An Oral Health Educator from the British Dental Health Foundation explains, "They contain a mild abrasive, (rather than the active ingredients you get with whitening kits and cosmetic treatments) which remove any staining. Look for products which conform to British Standard, so not to cause wear of the tooth enamel."

Bleaching Procedures

Most cosmetic dentists offer both in-surgery teeth whitening and professional take-home kits with custom-made trays (available privately but not on the NHS). These are based on a bleaching process using peroxide-based chemicals (varying in strength from 3% - 30%). Typically these are hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide compounds. Once these have broken down, oxygen gets in to the enamel and the tooth's colour is then lightened.

Dr Simon Darfoor from The Darfoor Dental Practice, Harley Street, explains further, "Hydrogen peroxide is a photo-sensitive gel. Once applied to teeth it breaks-down and releases oxygen which penetrates through to tooth enamel without weakening it. From here it changes the mineral compositions of teeth, which causes the whitening effect."

The higher the concentration, the more effective whitening. However, it has potential to cause damage to surrounding gum tissue, lips, and cause weakness of tooth enamel. The BDHF say, "Some people find their teeth are hyper sensitive post-treatment, and if kits are not used correctly, chemical burn can sometimes occur if peroxide is left on soft tissue for too long."

Laser Whitening

Often known as 'power whitening', a rubber dam is placed over teeth to protect gums, then a bleaching product is painted on. UV light or laser is then shone on to teeth to activate the chemical (light speeds-up chemical reaction of whitening products). Darfoor adds, "We use a stronger concentration of hydrogen peroxide (from 25 % to 33 %) which is applied to teeth under isolated conditions. Typically the procedure takes an hour."

Degrees of Tooth Whitening

Tooth whitening procedures cannot completely change tooth colour, but will lighten the existing shade effectively without removing any of the tooth's surface. This also depends on the ability and degree of peroxide penetration (through the enamel) and length of time the process is instigated (at-home kits can take several weeks) and the methods employed. Results are not permanent, lasting from six months to three years, depending on the colour of the teeth, the individual's lifestyle and whether they follow up with maintenance bleaching.

Who Should Avoid Teeth Whitening

Anyone with known allergies to any components of the bleaching system.
Anyone with large fillings or crowns in the front teeth.
Anyone with tooth decay, and/or periodontal gum disease - you must get these sorted out first.
Pregnant and nursing women and people under the age of 14.