Teeth whitening – how to find the right method
Dreaming of whiter teeth? The safest and best teeth whitening is performed by a dental hygienist or dentist
Table of Contents
There are many different methods, but the safest and best teeth whitening is performed by a dental hygienist or dentist. You can also be whiten your teeth at home without damaging your teeth as long as you have acquired the whitening equipment from your dentist.
Tooth whitening in a nutshell
- Teeth whitening can lighten darkened teeth quickly and easily – there are many ways.
- Teeth whitening done by a dentist or dental hygienist is a safe way to get white teeth.
- At a free whitening consultation at Hammas Mehiläinen, you can find out the best methods for you.
Services
In the whitening consultation, the health situation of the mouth is checked and it is ensured that there are no factors in the mouth that affect the final result of the whitening, such as gum disease, tartar, staining or enamel wear.
Book an appointment for free whitening consultationWhy have my teeth darkened?
The shade of your teeth is individual - some people's teeth are naturally lighter, others darker. Age also plays a role, as teeth darken and yellow with age.
Lifestyle also affects the shade of your teeth. Coffee, tea, cola drinks and red wine, for example, can cause superficial darkening of the teeth.
Smoking or snuff use can cause teeth to darken.
Your teeth may also become discoloured due to decay or an accident to your teeth.
How to get whiter teeth?
A big white smile doesn't have to be a dream – there are many ways to get whiter teeth:
- Whitening done during an appointment is the quickest option. The dental hygienist first protects your mucous membranes and then applies the whitening agent to the surface of your teeth. The effect of the whitening gel can be enhanced by a UV or LED light. It takes about 1.5 hours to complete the whitening process.
- Teeth whitening at home starts with an appointment with a dental hygienist. The dental hygienist will replicate your teeth, and the replicas are used to prepare the whitening trays that fit your mouth. These are used at home with the whitening agent according to the dental hygienist's instructions. The whitening process takes a few days to a week.
- Paste or powder cleaning effectively washes away stains from the surface of your teeth. The result is a clean and clear tooth surface, while retaining its natural shade. Often, before the actual whitening of your teeth, you will need to have them cleaned by a dental hygienist to ensure that the whitening process is even.
- White spot treatment smooths out any discolouration of your teeth. It can help you to completely get rid of mottled enamel, light or dark spots and streaks. For the best results, whiten your teeth before your white spot treatment at the dental hygienist's appointment.
- Ceramic dental laminates or dental crowns are used when your teeth cannot be whitened, for example, because of wear and tear. You’ll get permanently whiter teeth!
The best teeth whitening method for you depends on your starting point, the result you want, the available time and, of course, your preferences.
Book an appointment for a free dental hygienist whitening consultation and together, we can work out the best way to whiten your teeth. You will also receive cost estimates for the different options.
Book an appointment for free whitening consultationIs teeth whitening suitable for everyone?
A free whitening consultation with a dental hygienist will help you find out if teeth whitening is right for you.
In most cases, there is no reason why teeth whitening should not be considered, but in some cases, teeth whitening has to be postponed or is not possible at all:
- Gingivitis, cavities and tartar. Oral problems must be treated before teeth whitening. Have a dental check-up (Ohjaus ajanvaraukseen?) at your dentist's before whitening.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Teeth whitening is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- Age. Tooth whitening can only be performed on people aged 18 and over. There is no upper age limit
- Badly damaged enamel prevents teeth whitening. Your enamel can be damaged, for example, by drinking a lot of soda or other acidic drinks.
- Fillings, laminates, crowns and bridges. They do not prevent teeth whitening, but please note that their colour will be preserved. Fortunately, if necessary, the fillings can be replaced with the correct shade.
After teeth whitening – what do you need to know?
Your dental hygienist will give you precise instructions on what to do after whitening. You should avoid eating and drinking for two hours after whitening. It is safe to drink water.
For a couple of days after the dentist's or dental hygienist's whitening and during home whitening, you should not eat or drink any food that stains or is acidic, such as coffee, tea, cola drinks, dark juices, red wine, chocolate, soy sauce, beetroot, ketchup, spicy foods, berries and citrus fruits. And don't smoke or use snuff.
The enamel will return to normal in a couple of days after the whitening, after which you can eat normally again.
How long do the dental whitening results last?
Whitening can stay beautiful for a couple of years if you maintain it properly. Normal dental hygiene will go a long way:
- Wash your teeth thoroughly twice a day.
- Remember to clean the spaces between your teeth daily.
- Use enzymatically whitening toothpastes recommended by your dental hygienist.
The more diligently you avoid staining foods, tobacco and snuff, the whiter your teeth will stay.
Teeth whitening is never permanent, but you can whiten your teeth again! Depends on the whitening method, how often you can repeat the treatment.
Teeth whitening at home – is it safe?
The safest and best at-home tooth whitening is one where you use the whitening agents you get from your dental hygienist, together with whitening trays that are individually made for you.
You can try using a whitening toothpaste to maintain the whiteness of your teeth - but only use an enzymatic whitening toothpaste that won't damage the enamel.
Mechanically whitening toothpaste damages the tooth surface and can make teeth even darker. Long-term use of abrasive toothpaste is, therefore, not recommended.
The specialist interviewed for the article was Dental Hygienist Pia-Maria Eskola.
Teeth whitening – the price depends on the method
The price of teeth whitening depends on the whitening method. In the free consultation with a dental hygienist, you will find out more about whitening methods suitable for you and their costs.
Browse the price list of Hammas Mehiläinen and our flexible payment methods.
Book an appointment for free whitening consultationPrice list and payment
| Service | Mobile Benefit price | Hinta-arvio |
|---|---|---|
| Dental check-up | 65.50 € Without Kela reimbursement 81.00 € | |
| Dental check-up for patients with dental fear | 102.50 € Without Kela reimbursement 118.00 € | |
| Dental X-ray of the teeth and jaws | Mobile Benefit 95.00 € The price with a doctor's referral after Kela compensation is €80. | 106.00 € Without Kela reimbursement 115.00 € |
| Tartar removal 30–45 minute appointment with a dental hygienist. Prices 126.00–171.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 134.00–189.00 € | from 126.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 134.00 € | |
| Dental fillings 1–3 surfaces. Prices 91.00–253.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 101.00–276.00 € | from 91.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 101.00 € | |
| Ceramic filling of the tooth 1–3 surfaces. Prices 271.00–693.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 271.00–750.00 € | from 271.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 271.00 € | |
| Dental ceramic crown Laboratory costs are not included in the price estimate. Prices 598.00–755.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 598.00–755.00 € | from 598.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 598.00 € | |
| Chipped tooth Prices 91.00–253.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 101.00–276.00 € | from 91.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 101.00 € | |
| Tooth extraction Prices 105.00–709.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 115.00–771.00 € | from 105.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 115.00 € | |
| Tooth whitening Price estimate given at the free consultation appointment. Prices 95.00–436.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 95.00–436.00 € | from 95.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 95.00 € | |
| Whitening consultation appointment Includes an individual price estimate for teeth whitening. | Free Kela reimbursement deducted from the price | |
| Anaesthesia Prices 36.00–37.00 €, without Kela reimbursement 39.00–40.00 € | from 36.00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 39.00 € |
Frequently asked questions about teeth whitening
Whitening performed by a dentist or dental hygienist and home whitening with products provided by a dental hygienist or dentist are both good and safe alternatives to teeth whitening. Sometimes just having your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist can be enough.
At Hammas Mehiläinen, a dental hygienist usually performs the teeth whitening, but a dentist may also whiten your teeth.
When teeth whitening is performed by a dental hygienist or dentist, the effect of the whitening agent can be enhanced by a laser.
At-home whitening designed by a dental hygienist is a safe way to whiten your teeth at home.
A dental hygienist will provide you with custom-made whitening trays and bleach to whiten your teeth at home according to the instructions given by the dental hygienist.
It is a good idea not to eat and drink only water for a few hours after teeth whitening.
It is advisable to avoid coffee and tea, cola drinks, juices, berries, beetroot and colouring spices after the dentist's or dental hygienist's whitening and during at-home whitening.
Your dental hygienist will tell you for how long you should stick to these restrictions. In most cases, 4-48 hours is enough - depending on the whitening method.
Mechanically whitening toothpastes or tooth whitening strips sold in supermarkets can damage tooth enamel and cause irreversible damage to the tooth.
Teeth whitening by a dental hygienist or dentist and at-home whitening with whitening agents and individually prepared whitening trays provided by a dental hygienist or dentist are certainly safe ways to whiten teeth.
Baking soda should not be used to whiten teeth at home. When whitening at home, rely on teeth whitening products purchased from an oral health professional.
