In the ever-growing world of cosmetic dentistry, one procedure stands out as the most recognisable and effective. Teeth whitening has existed in one form or another for centuries with many different substances and techniques being used to brighten teeth or remove discoloured patches. But what is it about whiter teeth that is so appealing?

Basically, whiter teeth make us look younger and healthier as teeth generally tend to discolour as we age. So a set of shining, white teeth can subconsciously make us appear much younger. With the advent of modern dentistry techniques, teeth whitening has become even more effective and crucially more affordable which has made it into one of the most popular treatments available.

Whitening treatments generally come in two types: in-surgery whitening and take home treatments. Both of which are available from South East London dentists. Dentists always recommend that you only have teeth whitening carried out by trained professionals as some whitening treatments available form the internet can be dangerous. This is because the active agent is usually hydrogen peroxide, which can be damaging to the soft tissue at high concentrations. A dentist will use the necessary safety equipment to protect your mouth and can also use lower strength whitening gels for take-home treatments.

Teeth whitening varies widely in price with the most affordable procedures costing little more than £40 but more extensive treatment will be available. Whitening of up to ten shades is possible depending on the treatment and the nature of your teeth but whatever the results, teeth whitening can make your smile appear healthier and younger without the need for surgery or orthodontic treatment.

Zoom Teeth Whitening is a cosmetic procedure to whiten the teeth quickly and efficiently; says a South East London dentist. The method is widely used to great effect and is applied by a technician rather than a dentist. It is a purely cosmetic thing though and won’t straighten or repair damaged teeth. It is just a way of whitening teeth that have been discoloured by excessive use of tobacco and red wine, and also usually a lack of regular brushing. It cannot be used on teeth that have diseased gums around them; Gingivitis is a no-no for this method as it exposes the part of the tooth it protects. After an initial consultation the technician will apply a gel to the teeth, and then put a soft shield in your mouth to protect the fleshy parts of it, including the lips and your tongue. Then a light is beamed onto the gel and it reacts to break down and eliminate the discoloured parts. The whole procedure is done in around an hour, and the results are almost instant, the preparation takes about 10 minutes, then the session is broken into three 15 minute parts. It is painless although slightly uncomfortable as your mouth is held open to maximise the light beams effects, you can listen to music or even watch a screen if you wish. It isn’t expensive and can often cost just a couple of hundred pounds, there are restrictions on what you can eat and drink for a while afterwards. If all the advice is strictly adhered to then the client can enjoy a long period of lovely white teeth. It is widely available and some technicians even do home visits, although many people get their Zoom Smile during a lunch break at a salon near their work place.

In the technologically advanced world of cosmetic dentistry with its vast array of treatments for all kinds of dental disorders, it is one of the simplest, teeth whitening, that is often the most dramatic and certainly the most widely used.

The logic behind teeth whitening is just as simple as the process. Teeth discolour as we get older due to staining from food and drink, so whiter teeth make the patient look younger and more attractive. The major benefit of teeth whitening is that it can be used on virtually any patient and treatments are available for almost any budget and time allowance. Treatments range form one hour surgery sessions to two-week treatments including take home overnight trays. There is a plethora of different treatments available to suit every different kind of tooth, producing stunning results that can whiten teeth by up to ten shades.

The term whitening, as opposed to bleaching, refers to restoring the natural enamel colour of a tooth by removing dirt and debris. Therefore whitening can never make teeth look whiter than they are naturally supposed to be. This makes whitening a more organic and natural process than bleaching which actually stains white all the staining on the tooth’s surface. This can make teeth look unnaturally white and can even be dangerous if used in high concentration by inexperienced hands. For this reason South east London dentists recommend that all bleaching should be either performed or prepared by a professional, using approved treatment materials.

Both bleaching and whitening vary greatly in price depending on the extent of whitening to be carried out. The effects of teeth whitening can last up to three years before it needs repeating.