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Teeth Whitening in London
At Southwood Dental Studio, our dentists offer both in-office and take-home teeth whitening options to help our London patients brighten their smiles.
What is Professional Teeth Whitening?
Professional teeth whitening can safely and effectively remove stains and lighten the colour of your teeth.
With age, our teeth become more susceptible to staining from food, beverages and other substances. Our tooth enamel naturally attracts particles, and products like berries, coffee, tea and tobacco are well-known for their tendency to stain teeth.
Bleaching agents used during the teeth whitening process are designed to reverse the effects of staining and aging, lightening the colour of your teeth - and leaving you with a smile you're proud to reveal.
Teeth Whitening in London: How it works
Peroxide-based bleaching agents are used in teeth whitening solutions. As the active ingredient breaks down, oxygen acts on the tooth enamel, creating the whitening effect.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
In about two hours, you can have your teeth whitened professionally at one of our dental offices. First, your gums are covered with a barrier to protect them before a thin layer of gel is applied and chemically activated on each tooth. This process is repeated a few times until the desired shade of white is achieved.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
At-home whitening options offered at Southwood Dental Studio allow you to whiten your teeth in the comfort and convenience of your home. Custom whitening trays are created specifically for your smile. Your dentist will also provide you with detailed at-home instructions to follow during your course of treatment.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Read the answers to our most frequently asked questions about teeth whitening at Southwood Dental Studio.
- How long do the effects of teeth whitening last?
Teeth whitening is a temporary solution to whiten your smile.
If your teeth are continually exposed to foods and drinks that cause staining, you will likely begin to see the whiteness fade after a few months.
If you avoid these foods and drinks after your teeth whitening treatment, you may just require a touch up after a year or so.
- Does teeth whitening make teeth more sensitive?
You may experience sensitivity in the short-term after having your teeth whitened. For most patients, the sensitivity fades away within a few days after a whitening session.
To minimize any discomfort, we recommend that you use an anti-sensitivity toothpaste before treatment and for at least two weeks following your treatment.
- Do teeth whitening products work on all stains?
Brown and yellow-coloured stains respond best to teeth whitening treatments.
Purple, blue and grey-coloured stains tend not to respond to teeth whitening at all. Patients whose teeth with these types of stains may be better candidates for cosmetic treatments such as veneers or dental crowns.
- Does teeth whitening work on dental restorations?
No, teeth whitening only works on natural teeth. It does not work on existing dental restorations such as veneers or crowns.
If crowns or veneers are part of your treatment plan, teeth whitening should take place before you receive your dental restorations.
- Will teeth whitening damage my tooth enamel?
It's very unlikely that teeth whitening will damage your tooth enamel if used under the supervision of a qualified dentist.
Always ask your dentist to ensure that you are using any teeth whitening products safely.
- Does insurance cover the cost of teeth whitening?
Dental insurance does not typically cover the cost of teeth whitening because it is a purely cosmetic procedure with no health benefits for your teeth.