Teeth Whitening

There are different methods of teeth whitening, the two types that we offer are Philips Zoom! In-practice whitening and Boutique Whitening professional home kits.

Philips Zoom! works by carefully protecting your gums with a special covering before your dentist applies the unique hydrogen peroxide whitening gel. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down the molecular bonds between your teeth and the stains on them. By shining the intense light of the Philips Zoom! WhiteSpeed LED Accelerator on the whitening gel it increases the speed of this process leading to better results in a shorter amount of time.

Boutique Whitening offers the flexibility of whitening during the day or overnight. With this flexibility, there are some differences in the whitening gel used. Boutique by day uses hydrogen peroxide whitening gel and is designed for people who want great results with as little as 1 hours of use per day. Boutique by night uses carbamide peroxide which works in a similar way to hydrogen peroxide but at a slower rate but with longer effectiveness. Whitening overnight with this whitening gel offers great results without the inconvenience of whitening during the day.

Teeth whitening will remove most stains depending on the type of whitening and cause of the stains. The older we get the thinner our enamel becomes and the darker the dentin underneath appears. This leads to our teeth becoming naturally darker and yellowed as we age.

Teeth whitening products such as toothpaste and strips may not be effective in removing these naturally occurring stains and professional teeth whitening methods may be required to see results.

Another form of staining is caused by what we expose our teeth to such as wine, coffee and smoking. Luckily because these stains are on the surface of your teeth most whitening products such as whitening toothpaste will have some effect on these. For quick and safe results professional whitening treatments either in-practice or at home are recommended.

Teeth whitening will not work on restorations such as fillings, crowns or veneers. The colour of these parts of your smile will remain the same after the whitening process. Other treatments will be needed after completing your whitening treatment to match these parts to the new shade of your teeth.

Once you have your brighter whiter smile, efforts should be taken in order to maintain it for as long as possible. To do this there are three main things to consider after completing your whitening treatment.

Practising good oral hygiene is essential in keeping your teeth clean and free from surface stains on a daily basis. Brushing morning and night at least twice a day is recommended and even after any meals or drinks which may cause stains. Replacing your current toothpaste for one made to whiten teeth may also help to keep your teeth whiter for longer.

Avoid any foods and drinks that will cause staining to your teeth. These include wine, coffee or sports drinks just to name a few. You can still enjoy them from time to time but moderation will help to maintain your brighter smile.

Follow up treatments will be required to ensure your teeth remain bright and white. The frequency of these will depend on the factors above and how well you look after your smile. Whitening at home after in-practice treatment can be a great way to ensure your smile stays bright and white.