Frequently Asked Questions of Teeth Whitening

Having your teeth whitened by a dentist is the most effective, safest and fastest method. Your teeth can be whitened within one hour, which can dramatically change your appearance.

Some people prefer to whiten their teeth in the comfort of their home. The most effective at-home whitening system is a prescription-strength gel kit your dentist provides. Most kits contain mouth trays that you fill with the whitening gel and place over your teeth for up to four hours. Another option, which is less expensive is the over-the-counter whitening kit. At-home teeth whitening requires several hours of application over a 5 - 14 day period, and the results are typically not as satisfactory as those achieved with an in-office approach.

Many toothpastes and mouthwashes are now sold with whitening properties. Toothpaste whitening is an inexpensive but relatively ineffective whitening option.

In order to maximize the longevity of your whitening treatment, it is important to maintain excellent oral hygiene (brush and floss after every meal) and steer clear of some of the more common causes of discoloration (coffee, tea, red wine, soft drinks, etc.).

One way to avoid future staining is to use a straw, even with coffee and tea. Smokers wishing to undergo whitening treatment are advised to stop smoking in order to prevent the staining it causes.

Teeth discolouration can be either external or internal. External and internal discolouration have different causes and their treatments are different. Smoking, as well as tea, coffee and soft drink consumption are some of the biggest causes of external staining. At times, irregularities on teeth surfaces may contribute significantly to the uptake of external stains too.

Intrinsic discolouration could be the result of a dead or infected tooth. External discoloration can be predictably treated with cleaning and whitening, while treatment for intrinsic discolouration will be more complicated. The key to effective treatment is to get a proper examination and diagnosis. Your dentist would be able to identify the causes of your concern and the relevant treatment.