Teeth Whitening in Guildford, Surrey

Discolouration can either come from staining on the tooth surface or from within the tooth itself. Stains on the tooth usually arise from the consumption of foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, red wine and turmeric. Intrinsic staining can be caused by trauma, antibiotics at a young age and aging. After a thorough consultation, your dentist will talk through the causes of staining and what type of whitening is best for you.

The result can last for several months to years, but lifestyle factors such as smoking, and frequent intake of highly coloured foods and drinks (such as curries, tea, coffee, red wine) play a significant role in the formation of new stains. As the trays have been fabricated to fit your teeth, you can reuse them as necessary with a new supply of whitening gels.

Teeth whitening by a registered dental profession is proven to be safe. To ensure it is suitable for you, the dentist will carry out a consultation prior to the whitening. We don’t advise whitening whilst pregnant or breastfeeding.

Hydrogen peroxide is the active ingredient within the whitening gels, which breaks down allowing oxygen to enter the tooth and stains to be lifted. For this reason, only natural teeth will whiten and crowns and veneers will not change shade. We aim for teeth to become two shades whiter, however all teeth respond differently and factors such as density and lifestyle factors will have an impact on results.

There is usually little to no pain associated with whitening. Some patients may suffer from mild sensitivity during the procedure on the teeth or gums, which is temporary. This usually subsides after the treatment is stopped, and can be decreased by using desensitizing gels and toothpastes. Your dentist will ensure you are fully equipped to deal with this when beginning the treatment.