What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening or bleaching, is the procedure of lightening the shade of your teeth, for that Hollywood-white smile! However, before you jump into it, there are a few things you should know.
Is teeth whitening for me?
While we would all desire to have a set of pearly whites, external bleaching is not for everyone. Generally, you are suitable for this procedure if your oral cavity is disease free! That means your teeth and gums are healthy and in good condition.
With that in mind, external bleaching is not recommended if you:
- Frequently consume staining foods/drinks; eg tea, coffee, wine, carbonated drinks
- Smoke
- Have pre-existing teeth hypersensitivity
- Have uncontrolled decay
- Have stains caused by internal factors; e.g. discoloured fillings, tetracycline stains and other intrinsic stains of your teeth
Please make an appointment for a consultation with a dentist to check on your suitability.
How effective is teeth whitening?
Bleaching is effective in lightening most stains caused by age, tobacco, coffee, and tea. Based on clinical studies, 96 percent of patients with these stains experience some lightening effect. Other types of stains, such as those produced by antibiotic (tetracycline) usage or fluorosis (too much fluoride), respond less predictably to external bleaching. In addition, the colour of existing fillings and crowns remains the same after bleaching, which may not match the shade of your newly whitened teeth. In such instances, new fillings or crowns may be required.
Are there any side effects?
Your teeth may become sensitive during and after the bleaching process. If the sensitivity becomes unbearable, the procedure may have to be terminated.
OK! So how do I go about getting those pearly whites?
Two methods are currently available, namely the in-office bleaching and the take-home kit. Here at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, we only have the take-home kit available.
- In-office bleaching: A bleaching gel will be applied to the front surfaces of your teeth that are visible when smiling. The bleaching gel is light-activated and multiple applications will be made throughout the session. Results are apparent after a single bleaching appointment but outcomes vary.
- Take-home bleaching: this procedure reduces chair-side time and requires at least 2 visits. Models of your teeth will be made on the first visit and on the second, a customized bleaching tray and the bleaching gel will be issued to you. Instructions involve applying a thin layer of gel on the trays and wearing the trays overnight. You can see some results after 2 weeks but then again, outcomes vary among individuals.
Your dentist may give you further appointments for evaluation and review of your teeth shade.
