What exactly is Tooth Whitening?

Tooth whitening can be an effective way of lightening the natural colour of your teeth without having to remove any of the tooth surfaces.

How long would it take for my teeth to become whiter?

Whitening can have a three-year lifespan. This, however, will vary from person to person. If you smoke or eat things that can discolour your teeth, the effect is less likely to persist as long. Before you begin treatment, consult our dental practice in Paisley for the best professional teeth whitening dental plan for you.

What are the adverse effects?

Some people may experience tooth sensitivity to cold during or after treatment. Others experience gum pain, a sore throat, or white patches on the gum line. These effects are usually transient and should go away within a few days of the treatment being completed.

If any of these side effects persist, please contact our dentist.

What about toothpaste that whitens teeth?

There are tonnes of whitening toothpastes available on the market. Although they do not affect the natural colour of your teeth, they may be useful for removing stains and thereby improving the overall appearance of your teeth. After your teeth have been professionally whitened, whitening toothpaste may help your results remain longer.

How should I maintain my teeth after they’ve been whitened?

You can help keep your teeth white by limiting the amount of food and drink that can discolour them. Don’t forget that quitting smoking can help reduce discolouration and stains.

To care for your teeth, we recommend the following:

  • Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day.
  • Limit your intake of sugary food and drinks.
  • You visit the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend.

What exactly is cosmetic stain removal?

This is a method performed by our dentist or dental hygienist at our Paisley Clinic that aims to eliminate most, if not all, of the superficial stains on your teeth, giving them a brighter appearance.  It is a less expensive option for tooth whitening but can be just as effective, especially if your teeth are highly discoloured.  Stains can form as a result of certain foods, coffee, tea, red wine, and excessive use of Corsodyl mouthwash. Smoking can also cause dental stains. 

Why would I need tooth whitening?

There are several reasons why you might need to get your teeth whitened. Everyone is unique, and our teeth differ in the same way that our hair and skin colour varies. Very few people have pearly white teeth, and our teeth can become discoloured as we age.

Foods and drinks like tea, coffee, red wine, and blackcurrant can also stain the surface of your teeth. Smoking can also discolour teeth.

The colour of teeth can also be affected by calculus or tartar. Some people may have staining beneath the surface of their teeth, which can be caused by particular medicines or tiny fissures in their teeth that absorb stains.

What is the procedure?

Home whitening care

For this procedure, the dentist will take impressions or moulds of your teeth and create a set of customised trays that you can use at home to apply the tooth whitening solution.  For best effects, the trays should be worn for 1-2 hours every day for around 2 weeks.

In-chair whitening

The dentist will at first protect your gums and other fragile tissues throughout this treatment. After applying the whitening solution to the surfaces of the teeth to be whitened, a light is shone on the gel to activate it. This treatment will take around an hour and is thus substantially faster.

What about home kits available online and in stores?

Because tooth whitening is a tricky procedure, we recommend that you always check with our dentist before starting treatment.

Home kits are typically less expensive.  However, non-professional kits do not contain enough whitening agents to be effective, and some online kits may contain weak acids and abrasives.

In what situations might whitening teeth not work?

Tooth whitening can only lighten the colour of the present teeth. Furthermore, it only works on real teeth. It won’t work on ‘fake’ teeth such as dentures, crowns, or veneers.  It also does not work on fillings. If your dentures are discoloured or stained, please visit our dentist and request that they be cleaned. Stained veneers, crowns, or dentures may need to be replaced; once again, consult with our dentist.

Payment Plan Methods

Money should not be a hindrance to having a beautiful smile for the rest of your life.  As a result, our clinic in Paisley provides a variety of payment alternatives, including a 0% interest monthly payment plan.  The cost of treatment will differ from one patient to the next.  For additional information, please contact a member of our team or schedule a personal consultation.