Teeth Whitening

Tooth discoloration and staining is a relatively common problem.

Teeth are porous and are therefore not stain-resistant.

Red wine, soda, coffee and tea, among other food and drink, contribute to the discoloration of teeth over time. Medications such as the antibiotic tetracycline can cause significant staining, resulting in yellowish or greyish teeth. Smokers’ teeth can become permanently stained if the discoloration is not treated in a timely manner. Discoloration can also occur secondary to conditions such as fluorosis, abnormal development of the teeth and dental caries.

There are a few options to choose from when considering teeth whitening.

Dentist supervised at-home whitening - a daily bleaching process that can be continued until the patient is happy with the appearance of their teeth. The dentist prepares a custom-made mouthguard bleaching tray. The whitening gel is added to the inside of the tray and applied to the teeth for several hours each day. Good results occur in one to three weeks.

In-office light activated (laser) whitening - the latest system. A light source activates the bleaching gel which is applied to the teeth by the dentist. The whitening treatment takes 1 to 2 hours and can whiten up to 8 shades in one treatment.

A consultation with the dentist before you begin is important to determine the best method of whitening for you.