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The BEST way to whiten your teeth is through, what we call at Seapoint, a "combination process". This means that by using a number of the best different ways to whiten teeth, which when we combine together, are able to produce world-class results. At Seapoint we combine both whitening in the dental chair and at home, with the best mix of whitening gels from around the world. This unique process is dramatic and completely safe. Tooth whitening has become increasingly popular over the last couple of years. There are a few factors to consider before whitening your teeth and when deciding which product to use to whiten your teeth.

Tooth whitening will improve the colour of your natural teeth, it will not whiten fillings/crowns/bridges or dentures. The materials in these restorations do not uptake the whitening gel which contains either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. If this staining bothers you, you should talk to your dentist to discuss your options.

There are some risks involved with tooth whitening. It can cause the teeth to become increasingly sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. For those who already suffer from sensitivity it can worsen. The gums can also become irritated especially if they come into contact with the product used. To avoid these side effects use well-fitting trays that hold the right amount of product and remove excess from the gum-line once the trays are in place.

The main methods of whitening your teeth involve using trays at home with a whitening gel in place and an in house system using an LED light. Both of these options use either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide (breaks down into hydrogen peroxide). These chemicals bring about a reaction which breaks down stains in the tooth. The at home trays have a longer treatment time – roughly about 3-4 weeks, as the in house system has an LED light which accelerates the process. The in house system takes about an 90 minutes, and is usually supplemented with using the trays for at least 5 nights after, depending on the result wanted. There are also whitening strips which are available in varying concentrations.

Teeth will naturally stain due to different foods and drinks in your diet. These include coffee, tea, red wine, curries, soy sauce and tomato based sauces to mention the main sources. If you’re thinking about whitening your teeth it is best to avoid these sources of stains while whitening your teeth, to obtain the best result. It is important to note that over time your teeth will absorb these stains again and tooth whitening does not prevent this. Smoking will also stain your teeth.

Due to the guidelines on tooth whitening, only a dental practitioner can sell products with more than 0.1% of hydrogen peroxide, with the maximum concentration being 6% hydrogen peroxide. There are other products on the market available outside the dental surgery, like whitening toothpaste and mouthwash. These usually contain less than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide, which is less effective compared to the concentrations available in the dental surgery. However some abrasive toothpastes are effective at removing external stains. 

B.Dent.Sc, Dentistry (Dundee)