Teeth whitening involves breaking down the discolouration so that your teeth look whiter. Whether the process will work for you depends largely on the cause of your discolouration. Each whitening method has a different degree of effectiveness and permanency. Your dentist will advise you on the degree of whitening and the process that is best for your teeth and more likely to give you the results you are seeking.

It’s also important to note that the results will not be the same for everyone, as everyone’s teeth are different. Some people might find they are able to achieve a whiteness that’s several shades brighter that their existing tooth colour, while others may only achieve one to two shades whiter.

Before any whitening process, we recommend that patients have their teeth cleaned by a hygienist to remove any plaque build-up and ensure the best results.

Before any whitening process, we recommend that patients have their teeth cleaned by a hygienist to remove any plaque build-up and ensure the best results.

Given the different causes of discolouration, it is also important to have your dentist thoroughly assess your dental health to determine whether teeth whitening will be an effective treatment for you.

There are two types of tooth discolouration: extrinsic and intrinsic.

Extrinsic discolouration – that is, staining confined to the enamel – is most commonly caused by age, diet and poor oral hygiene. As we age, our tooth enamel can thin and start to reveal the yellow dentin beneath. In addition, diet and poor oral hygiene can cause our tooth enamel to stain, especially if our diet is high in sugars and acidic food and if we don’t maintain good oral hygiene. Teeth whitening treatment is most effective in removing this kind of staining.

Intrinsic discolouration – that is, discolouration of the inner structure of the tooth – can be the result of trauma. This could include impact to the tooth when you were a child, such as a fall that damaged the developing permanent tooth; or trauma that involved internal bleeding, which discoloured the permanent tooth. Intrinsic staining usually requires additional dental treatment to achieve whitening.

Not everyone’s teeth are suitable for whitening. We recommend having a check up with your dentist in advance. This can be scheduled at the time of your teeth clean, so your dentist can assess for sensitivity, tooth decay, existing restorations, gum disease and any oral conditions that could hinder the effectiveness of the teeth whitening procedure. If you have veneers, crowns or fillings, they will not change colour with whitening, which means you can be left with different-coloured teeth.

Teeth whitening is generally safe when used in the correct way. One of the biggest risks associated with teeth whitening arises when it is applied incorrectly or by someone who is not properly qualified.

Because a bleaching agent is involved, some of the side effects of teeth whitening can include damage to the gums, tooth sensitivity and irritation, and possibly bleeding in the oesophagus and stomach if the bleach is swallowed.

Sensitivity from teeth whitening usually only lasts a day or two. Patients with receding gums, cracks in their teeth or failing restorations (which can result in leaking) are the most likely to experience sensitivity. Gum irritation can arise as a result of contact between the whitening agent and your gums.

After any teeth whitening procedure, it is recommended that you avoid smoking, drinking coffee, tea, soft drink and red wine, eating highly coloured foods (such as berries or beetroot) and using mouthwash. These can all reverse the effectiveness of teeth whitening and further stain your teeth. These images are simply an educational guide and by no means represent a guarantee of outcome.