Teeth Cleaning or Teeth Whitening?
With the rise in non-invasive dentistry, the focus has shifted from routine dentistry. More and more patients are seeking treatment that can make their smile look more aesthetically pleasing. And surprisingly to some, there are a couple of really simple measures that can be taken to get you the smile you want. Teeth cleaning vs teeth whitening, which is right for you?
The most common question we get asked now is definitely “what can I do to improve the appearance of my teeth?” and there are two particularly simple ways – teeth whitening and teeth cleaning.
What is the difference between teeth cleaning and teeth whitening?
Teeth cleaning is designed to get rid of the external stains that build up on our teeth from dietary or smoking stains. If it’s just external staining that’s built up over the years, then a good clean will easily get rid these stains.
But if the stain is more ingrained into the tooth, then teeth whitening is the best option.
The former cleans the surface of the tooth from extrinsic staining. The latter cleans the extrinsic and intrinsic staining whilst whitening the teeth at the same time.
“Teeth whitening does no damage to enamel”
As we age, eating and smoking slowly begin to discolour our teeth and general cleaning might not get rid of the stains. In this case, a tooth whitening treatment might be a good option to get that whiteness back into your smile.
Does teeth whitening damage enamel?
It’s a common misconception, but in reality teeth whitening doesn’t damage the enamel. And there’s no long-term effects of teeth whitening either. Of course, you’d have to have a dental check-up done first to make sure that everything’s healthy before you start. Once it’s been confirmed that your gums and teeth are healthy, teeth whitening is a simple and straight-forward procedure to go through.
It generally starts with some in-practice work, leading to some overnight teeth whitening at home for two weeks. This gets rid of not only the external stains on the teeth, but also changes their colour back to how they were. It works with the carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide gel opening up the tubules within the tooth and getting rid of the internal stains. Toothpaste will only get rid of the stains on the surface of the tooth, it won’t penetrate any deeper.
For this reason, teeth whitening tends to be seen as the much more effective option.
“Nicola had been concerned about the uneven appearance of her teeth for many years, feeling that they made her look older than she actually was. She decided that she wanted a straighter and whiter smile, without looking too false. As Nicola’s teeth were quite worn, we used reconstructive techniques over several months to build up her teeth. This allowed us space for the final porcelain veneers on her front teeth. In this way we provided Nicola with a beautiful natural smile, but also one that would provide her with good, lasting chewing function. Total treatment time – 9-12 months.”
How old do I have to be to whiten my teeth?
Anyone of any age can benefit from whitening. It is generally adult patients that request teeth whitening procedures. There is no age limit on the procedure and it immediately improves the whiteness of the teeth. But make sure you don’t overdo teeth whitening.
What if I want my teeth straightened first?
It’s not uncommon for patients to also want to change the position of their teeth when they begin considering teeth whitening. Let’s say a patient’s teeth are crooked, crowded or they had braces when they were younger and now their teeth have started to move back. Othodontic procedures are a good way start to get the smile they want.
“Not all treatments have to be extensive or expensive”
This could mean looking at options like fixed braces or Invisalign, which is the more discreet choice. If you opt for a fixed brace, then it will be on your teeth at all times whereas Invisalign is removable.
Although their mechanics are a little different, they both share the same goal. Both are designed to get your teeth nice and straight by the end.
“Darren came to us to improve the look of his teeth before his wedding day. He was unhappy with the crooked front teeth and wanted a straighter, whiter smile for his big day. We used Invisalign to straighten his front teeth and whitened his teeth using Enlighten. This gave him he confidence to smile on his wedding day. Total treatment time – 7 months.”
Other options include composite bonding.
For example, let’s say a patient didn’t want braces and only required minor changes to achieve their desired outcome. Composite bonding would be the most viable solution for them. It works by adding material to the existing tooth to change the shape or the colour of a tooth.
How do I know which method would work best for me?
It all depends on your own individual circumstances and the methods you are open to take. Dental examinations will give you a clear answer on what could work for you.
For example, if a patient has a gap in between their teeth then their options to closing that space can range from orthodontic treatments such as braces to composite bonding to veneers or crowns.
The decision that we take is based on the examination of your teeth and a consultation to decide what works best for you in that particular moment in time. We’ll take into consideration factors such as the health of your teeth, your age, the costs involved and what you want to achieve.
There are a lot of treatment options available for anyone who wants to improve the look of their teeth. Dentistry has changed a lot in recent years so not all treatments have to be extensive or expensive.
It could be a very simple treatment that can be done in a day. If it’s a more advanced case than the treatment might have to be a little more involved.
But the bottom line is, we’re there to help patients feel comfortable about their teeth and to help them achieve the results that they want.
Contact Us
If you’d like to find out more about the treatments provided at our dentist in Bolton, you can get in touch by visiting our contact page.
If you’d like to find out more about your dental health such as FaQs about dental cavities, you can read one of our other blogs.
