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March 2023 Newsletter

Welcome to our March Newsletter

We can’t deny feeling slightly disappointed by the turn in weather, March is supposed to bring spring with it, not snow. Nevertheless, our mood is staying positive at NHS Dentist while we prepare to welcome spring outdoors. Likewise, indoors, we are having some work done to the reception and waiting room area to re-freshen things up and get excited. Next time you visit, you might walk into a newly decorated waiting room 🙂

In this newsletter, we want to address a very frequently asked question from many of our patients. Tooth whitening, does it work and what is its effect on teeth? To answer this question, we would like to share a recently written article in the British Dental Association journal about TEETH WHITENING.

7 Things you didn’t know about teeth whitening

1 Whitening is safe

If carried out by a trained dental professional, whitening is perfectly safe. Based on their knowledge of your oral health your dentist will discuss with you the options available, decide if tooth whitening is appropriate for you and develop an overall treatment plan that gives the desired result.

2 Only trained dental professionals can whiten teeth

It is illegal for anyone other than dentists or their teams to carry out teeth whitening. Anyone else offering teeth whitening (e.g. beauticians, hairdressers, and salon staff) won’t have the right training and knowledge, could permanently damage your teeth and gums and can’t help when something goes wrong.

3 The preferred option

Whitening won’t remove the surface of your teeth or change their shape. It’s often a better option than alternatives, such as veneers, because it doesn’t involve permanently altering the tooth’s structure and is easy to look after.

4 Selecting the right products for you

Your dentist is trained to know what whitening products will be safe for your teeth and gums. Products provided by non-dentists often do not have enough safety data and evidence to support their use; this can result in burned gums and/or blistered lips or even more serious consequences. Using products that are not appropriate for you will produce poor results.

5 Show it works

A carefully- controlled concentration of bleach is applied to your teeth using specially-made trays that fit in your mouth. there is also laser whitening, where a light or laser is shone on the teeth to activate the bleach. Your dentist will be able to discuss with you the level of whitening you want and give you an idea of how many treatments you may need to achieve the shade you’re after.

6 What to expect

You may experience some sensitivity or discomfort in the gums for a short time during or after your treatment, but this is normal and will soon fade away.

7 Over the counter kits may not be safe

The products you can buy online or from high street shops often fail to declare the precise chemicals used so it’s very difficult to assess their safety. Because of this they should not be considered safe. The products won’t produce the same good results you can expect by visiting your dentist.

ASK YOUR DENTIST ABOUT WHITENING

We hope this has answered some of your questions about teeth whitening.

All the best

The Team at NHS Dentist

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