Teeth whitening

Teeth whitening can only be done on permanent teeth, and your dentist will recommend the whitening method after assessing the health of your teeth. Depending on the degree of staining, one or more of the following procedures may be suggested:

• Professional cleaning to correct staining caused by food and tobacco.
• Using a whitening toothpaste to correct surface discoloration over several sessions.
• For additional results, using a whitening gel or whitening strips, which are easy to use and affordable.
• Whitening treatment for persistent stains (in-office with the Zoom lamp, or at home with a tray and gel).
• Veneers or bonding for uneven or damaged teeth, to achieve the desired results.

Each method suits a different clinical situation, but in general:

• Yellow teeth respond best to whitening treatment.
• Teeth stained brown or grey, and teeth with streaks or stains due to tetracycline or excess fluoride, are difficult to whiten, even with proper treatment.
• For people with periodontal disease or very sensitive teeth, whitening methods that irritate sensitive gums should be avoided.
• In the case of crowns, or front teeth restored with tooth-coloured fillings or bonding, whitening is not recommended, because it has no effect on these and will make them stand out against the whitened teeth.

There are other options, such as veneers or bonding done by the dentist. In some cases with severe tooth or jaw problems, the doctor will recommend crown reconstruction, which, in addition to correcting these problems, can also bring the benefit of whiter teeth.