Clinical review: Dr. Samreen Ejaz, BDS, RDS ·
Is it just a stain?
Chai, coffee and paan can leave stains on the surface of teeth, and a good clean often removes a lot of that. Bleaching is different. It changes the colour inside the tooth. A single dark tooth, a colour change that’s new, or a tooth that hurts needs checking first, because the cause might not be cosmetic at all.
What Dr. Samreen checks first
She looks at your gums, your teeth and any fillings, crowns or veneers you already have. These don’t whiten like natural teeth, so after bleaching they can stand out more. If you’re planning new work on your front teeth, tell us, because it’s usually better to whiten first and match the new work to your new shade. We’ll also ask about sensitivity and what result you’re hoping for.
How we do it
We’ll explain the product and method we plan to use and how many visits it needs. If part of the whitening is done at home, we’ll show you how the trays should fit, how much gel to use, how long to wear them, and when to stop and call us. Whitening in the clinic has its own steps to protect your gums, and we’ll talk you through them.
Will my teeth feel sensitive?
Some people get sensitivity or sore gums for a short while. If you’ve had a reaction before, tell us. Stick to the schedule we give you. Using more gel or wearing trays longer won’t speed things up, it just irritates your teeth. We can’t promise a particular shade. It depends on your teeth and what caused the colour, and deep or patchy marks may not lighten evenly.
When something else works better
For some surface enamel marks, microabrasion may be a better fit. Veneers cover the front of the tooth instead of lightening it, and they’re a much bigger commitment. Sometimes a clean is all you need, or leaving the tooth as it is makes more sense. Dr. Samreen will tell you honestly which option she’d choose for your teeth.
Afterwards
Follow the instructions for your product and let us know if sensitivity or gum soreness bothers you. Keep brushing and coming for check-ups as usual. If you want to whiten again later, check with us first, especially if you’ve had new fillings or any tooth trouble since. Most colour slowly comes back over time with tea and food, and that’s normal.
BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT
Questions about teeth whitening and bleaching
Will my fillings get whiter too?
No. Fillings, crowns and veneers keep their colour, so we plan around them before we start.
Can you make my teeth really white?
We can’t promise a particular shade. How much they lighten depends on your natural colour and what caused the staining.
Is scaling enough for yellow or stained teeth?
Sometimes. Scaling removes tartar and surface stains. If the colour is inside the tooth, it won’t change it, and we’ll tell you which one you have.
Can I drink chai after whitening?
For the first day or two, go easy on chai, coffee and strongly coloured food. We’ll tell you exactly what to avoid with your method.
This is general information. What’s right for your tooth depends on what Dr. Samreen finds when she examines it.
Background reading: NHS: teeth whitening. These are overseas sources, so their prices and rules don’t apply here.