10 Reasons to Get Professional Teeth Whitening at the Dentist’s
Your smile is an important part of your appearance, but many people don’t smile fully because they are concerned about the look of their teeth. In the UK, teeth whitening procedures have been increased, with around 41% of British adults saying they would choose to get their teeth whitened if it were available.
Smiling more has been shown to be good for your mental and physical health, as it triggers a release of endorphins and neurotransmitters that contribute to feelings of happiness, reduced blood pressure and reduced stress. Getting your teeth whitened by a professional can encourage you to show them off more, giving you a fresh start for a healthier, happier outlook.
Teeth Whitening Methods
Several methods will result in the appearance of whiter teeth.
Whitening Gel, in-office and at home – We take a digital scan of your teeth to create a personalised tray that matches your dental profile exactly. Once this is ready, we add whitening gel to the inside of the tray and fit it to your teeth for an appropriate time. This method may need to be repeated at home over a short period to achieve the desired result.
LED or Laser Whitening – This method combines whitening gel with LED technology. Using an LED (light emitting diode) to heat the gel activates its whitening properties and changes the molecules in the stains to accelerate the whitening process. Brands such as Pola Light are used by dentists to whiten teeth.
In-House Laser Whitening – In-house laser whitening takes place at the dentistry practice. The dentist applies the whitening gel, activated with the LED laser. In-house Laser Teeth Whitening gives you reliable, high-quality results, with the certainty of working with a qualified dentist.
10 Reasons To Ask Your Dentist For Teeth Whitening
If you’re still on the fence about whether or not to get your teeth whitening at a dental practice have a look through the following 10 reasons. Some explain why dentists should perform this procedure rather than doing it yourself, while others are simply reasons to do it at all.
- Improve Your Appearance
- Anti-Ageing Effects
- Confidence in the results
- Safe and Non-Invasive
- Dental Protection With Professional Care
- Prevent Gum Irritation
- Minimise Sensitivity
- Faster Procedures with Laser Teeth Whitening
- Personalised Whitening
- Superior Results Compared To At-Home Kits
1. Improve Your Appearance
Teeth whitening procedures can help you improve the look of your teeth by removing stains caused over time by coffee, smoking, red wine and other substances. This is the most basic reason people ask for this cosmetic procedure, and it is a good one. Your appearance is the basis for first impressions, so many people opt for teeth whitening before special occasions such as weddings or job interviews.
2. Anti-Ageing Effects
The enamel on your teeth is what gives them their white appearance. However, it is part of the natural ageing process for this to fade, allowing the yellow layer, called dentine, to show through. For this reason, yellowing teeth give the impression of age and perceived poor health, while a brighter smile is often associated with youth. Teeth whitening is popular with those looking to retain a younger appearance.
3. Confidence In The Results
According to the British Dental Association, over-the-counter whitening kits may fail to declare the precise chemicals they contain. This means that it is difficult to assess their safety, and it is uncertain whether at-home kits will have the desired result, especially as only dental professionals can provide tooth whitening in the UK legally. Rather than taking the risk, professional teeth whitening by a dentist will reliably improve the appearance of your teeth.
4. Safe And Non-Invasive Procedure
While some people opt for veneers to change the appearance of their teeth, whitening is a much less invasive procedure. With no surgery required, white teeth can be achieved with low-risk, low-pain options such as LED and Laser techniques, and can be supplemented with treatments such as composite bonding.
5. Dental Protection With Professional Care
Having a dentist whiten your teeth can be an opportunity for you to receive additional dental care. We are healthcare professionals first, so if we notice an issue when you come to us for cosmetic procedures we will let you know and suggest a course of action.
If you have invested money in the look of your teeth, you are more likely to maintain good dental hygiene habits to maintain the results. Teeth whitening can also be a good motivator for smoking cessation as you’ll be more aware of the risk of staining your teeth.
6. Prevent Gum Irritation
If you have teeth whitening performed by someone who is not a professional dentist, such as in a salon, there may be complications. The whitening tray must fit properly to prevent the bleaching gel from leaking onto your gums. If you are provided with an incorrect whitening tray, the gel may cause blistering, sensitivity and irritation in your mouth.
7. Minimise Sensitivity
Using home kits often means using unregulated hydrogen peroxide gels, which, as we said above, can irritate the mouth and gums. As well as this, using incorrect quantities of hydrogen peroxide can cause permanent damage to the teeth, creating or worsening sensitivity or even killing the tooth.
8. Faster Procedures with Laser Teeth Whitening
Laser or LED whitening technology can reduce procedural times to as little as 20 minutes.
9. Personalised Whitening
At-home whitening kits can be a one-size-fits-all approach, giving you the same amount of whitening for each tooth. However, due to staining, UV exposure and other factors, the natural colour may differ from tooth to tooth. Your dentist will apply the whitening treatment to each tooth as needed, giving you an evenly bright, natural-looking final result.
10. Superior Results Compared To At-Home Kits
Generally speaking, at-home whitening kits are less safe, less reliable and less flexible. The results can appear unnatural and worse, cause damage to teeth and gums. When you visit a dentist for teeth whitening, you can rest assured that you will have a professional service performed by a qualified person whose priority is your dental health.
Teeth Whitening | Dentist in Harrow
At Streatfield Dentists, we provide professional teeth whitening to our patients in Harrow. We use the most advanced and safe bleaching agents to improve the colour of your teeth, giving a youthful, healthy appearance at a price our patients can afford. Speak to a dentist about teeth whitening today for clear advice and transparent costing, or check our teeth whitening FAQs.
