Teeth whitening – how to find the right method

Why 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.

Is 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.