Regardless of how well you care for your teeth, it is inevitable that over time some yellowing or discoloration will occur. This gradual change can be caused by aging, wearing of the enamel and substances that stain your teeth (such as coffee, red wine and tobacco).
We use two types of tooth whitening:

• Home bleaching
• Power bleaching (1h in the surgery)

A dental examination is required before either type of tooth whitening to ensure that there are no dental problems. A dental hygiene visit is also required to remove any stains and deposits on the teeth in order to maximise tooth whitening results.  
Most patients report that a noticeable effect after just four treatments. Sufficient gel is given for the initial process to work with some remainder for topping up after six months or a year.  However, the whitening procedures work at different rates for different people and it is not always possible to accurately predict their outcome.

Home bleaching

This procedure is performed at home, for an average of 10 -14 days with the aid of tooth whitening trays and gel.  Impressions are taken to construct whitening trays to assist with the home and top up procedures.  The product used is either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide gel, both of which have been recognised as efficient and safe.
The procedure for home bleaching is as follows:

• Clean your teeth thoroughly before each use, including flossing or use of interdental brushes. Rinse your mouth of any toothpaste.
• Fill the supplied bleaching trays with a small amount of the gel. Care must be taken not to overfill the tray, as this will be forced out over your gums when inserted. You should aim to use approximately half a capsule of gel for each bleaching tray per use - i.e. one capsule per day.
• Excess material should be removed from the gums with a tissue, cotton wool or a dry toothbrush after insertion of the trays.
• The filled trays are usually worn for 2-4 hours at a time. They can be worn overnight. You should not eat, drink or smoke whilst wearing the trays. If they are removed during this process, then the tray will need to be refilled with new gel.  
• Rinse your mouth with lots of lukewarm water to remove any remaining gel when the trays are removed. Wash the tray with cold water and dry thoroughly with tissues before storage.
• It is possible to over-lighten the teeth. Stop using the trays and gel when you are happy with the colour. Remember that the natural colour of teeth is never pure white. The whitening gel will lighten your teeth, but not necessarily remove internal stains; in these circumstances the teeth may never achieve a harmonious colour.
• The gel will not lighten crowns, veneers or fillings. If you have any of these restorations then the teeth should be lightened prior to their replacement.
• It is not necessary to lighten the back or molar teeth, the tray may not even cover these areas.
• Do not eat or drink for an hour after removing the bleaching trays and gel

 Similar end results can be achieved with both procedures but the home bleaching takes longer and some patients find it inconvenient.

Power bleaching

This treatment is quick (around one hour) and is performed by a dentist. This will bring your teeth to their ultimate natural whiteness.  With the power bleaching, a blue non-laser light source is used to activate the gel and accelerate the working time of the gel. The gel breaks up into oxygen and water. The oxygen acts as an oxidising agent, lifting the stains within the teeth.
For optimum results we do recommend patients to use custom whitening trays to supplement the power whitening. These trays can also be used to maintain whiteness over many years.

Post whitening

Sensitivity is a normal feature of the tooth whitening process and usually only lasts for the duration of the treatment and a couple of days afterwards.  The whitening gels come in 10%, 16% or 22% strengths. The higher strength gel will work more quickly but will result in more sensitivity.  If sensitivity is particularly bad, you may choose to only wear home bleaching trays every other day.  For patients who need it, there are desensitising agents such as tooth mousse available.

Cautions

If the gel comes into contact with skin, wash with soap and water. If you swallow a significant amount of gel drink large amounts of water or milk. Refrigerate for prolonged storage and keep out of reach of children.