Teeth Whitening – Your Journey To A Whiter Smile

From discoloured teeth to a whiter and brighter smile near Burton

Most of us have, at some time or another, probably taken a look at a photograph of ourselves and wish that we could change at least one thing about our appearance. Although cosmetics can help, there is little that can be done to stop the physical effects of getting older. That said, it doesn’t mean that we have to put up with looking old before our time.

One thing that happens as we get older, and can do so much earlier if we indulge in habits that affect them, is that our teeth become discoloured, often appearing as a shade of yellow. Some habits such as smoking will cause this to happen prematurely, but even with the best cleaning in the world, our teeth will eventually become duller and darker in colour.

The journey to whiter teeth

Some of our Ashby and Burton patients will probably have tried using teeth whitening toothpastes to reverse this discolouration and will have found the results lacking. It is only natural that we want to try the cheapest and most simple methods initially, but unfortunately, in this instance, any results seen are likely to be very small indeed.

It is usually at this stage that anyone wishing to have whiter teeth will turn to their dentist. Like many other dentists in the country, Alexandra Dental Care offer cosmetic treatments that can help you to have whiter looking teeth.

Once you have made your appointment to discuss improving your smile, we will be able to establish which treatment would be most appropriate for your own circumstances. Essentially, there are three options open to our patients, depending on their needs.

Scale and polish

This is something that all patients should have done on a six monthly basis and is a non-invasive procedure carried out by the dental hygienist. It is designed to remove tartar, a hardened form of bacteria and mineral deposits from the teeth and gum line. This is especially beneficial in preventing gum disease, but the cleaning process can also remove some surface staining from the teeth, if light. It won’t, however, whiten teeth that have been affected by the ageing process.

Teeth whitening

This is perhaps the most popular cosmetic dental treatment that we provide for our Ashby and Burton patients. It is non-invasive and is widely affordable.  Whilst it will remove surface staining, such as that caused by tea and coffee consumption, it also lightens the inner part of the tooth that darkens naturally as we grow older. This is done using a form of bleach and the treatment is safe, effective and also very fast acting, with results seen in a short period of time. Patients can either have teeth whitening as an ongoing treatment to maintain an overall general white smile or as a one off for an occasion such as a wedding. Dental vouchers can be bought for this treatment and make an excellent gift.

Dental veneers

Whilst a tooth whitening treatment can be highly effective and is so for most patients, there may be some who have teeth that are more severely stained. For example, someone who has smoked heavily for a long period of time but now has stopped and wants a whiter, brighter smile.

Although a teeth whitening procedure can be carried out first to see if the improvement is sufficient for the patient, there is also the option of having dental veneers fitted. These are very fine layers of porcelain which are attached to the front of the affected teeth and replace the discoloured enamel. These are long lasting at approximately ten years and are also an effective way of improving teeth that have been affected by chips and cracks.

All of these treatments are available at Alexandra Dental Care to help you have a younger looking and more attractive smile. If you would like to see how we can help you achieve this, with no obligation, please contact us for a consultation on 01283 216347.

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