Bright & Co Dental

Whitening: what works and what does not

Strips, charcoal, blue light, dentist trays. A plain ranking, and why we check your teeth first.

Whitening is the treatment we are asked about most and the one with the most nonsense written about it. Here is what the evidence supports.

What works

Peroxide gel in a tray made to fit your teeth, worn for a couple of hours a day for two to three weeks. It is the same chemistry as in-surgery whitening, just slower and gentler. Results last one to three years and can be topped up.

What does not

Charcoal toothpaste scrubs stains off but also scrubs enamel, and it does not change the colour of the tooth itself. Whitening strips from the chemist use a low dose that works a little on some people and not at all on others. Blue lights mostly add drama.

Why we check first

Whitening does nothing to crowns, veneers or fillings, so if you have a white filling on a front tooth it will end up looking darker than its neighbours. It can also sting on teeth that are already sensitive. A five-minute check before you spend anything saves most of the disappointment.

Bright & Co Dental

Advice from the chair

Plain answers to the questions we hear most.

Oral health

How often should I really see the dentist?

Six months is the habit. The right answer depends on your mouth, and we will tell you which you are.

Cosmetic

Aligners or braces: an honest comparison

Clear aligners suit most mild and moderate cases. Here is where they stop and braces take over.

Children

Your child's first visit

Come when the first tooth arrives, keep it short, and let them sit on your lap. That is most of it.