Teeth Whitening

When teeth first erupt they have a thick layer of enamel, which is quite light in colour. This makes younger teeth appear more “white”. Underneath this enamel is a softer layer called the dentine and this is a creamy colour. As we age a few things happen. Firstly we develop stain, and other extrinsic colours on the surface of our teeth or enamel. These can make the tooth look “darker”. Most of this is easily removed with a dentist or hygienist clean. However, there is a natural aging process that a tooth will go through and this can contribute to the appearance also. Over the years our teeth undergo erosion and wear meaning some enamel can be lost. The thinning of the enamel layer can result in some of the whiteness being lost. Additionally, our dentine layer gets thicker and slightly darker. Because teeth are translucent, the result is a tooth that looks comparatively “darker” than it once did. No amount of cleaning will change this. Dentist prescribed tooth whitening systems use a whitening gel that is safe, regulated and carefully titrated to allow both the enamel and dentine layers to lighten up in a controlled and gradual manner. Evidence shows that a slow, consistent application of the whitening gel when done correctly will permanently change the colour of both the enamel and dentine. This tooth whitening is a safe, non invasive and permanent way to improve the appearance of teeth without long term risk. For a lot of us tooth whitening may be the only treatment needed to improve a smile. Your dentist will be able to advise you of your suitability, and also advise you on what whitening system would work best for you. As dentists tooth whitening is usually our preferred method to improve the appearance of teeth without invasive dentistry.