frequently asked questions
TEETH WHITENING
Brighten your smile with a professional cosmetic teeth whitening treatment designed to reduce stains and discoloration. Using a whitening gel activated by a cold blue light, the treatment helps achieve a noticeably fresher, brighter-looking smile with results that can last approximately 6–12 months depending on your habits and dental care.
It is recommended to brush your teeth prior to bleaching your teeth however, avoid using a fluoridated toothpaste.
Flossing is not recommended before the treatment
To achieve best results, a professional dental cleaning is recommended prior to the treatment to remove plaque and tartar.
Eating before the appointment would be a good idea - you will need to avoid eating for a couple hours post procedure as well as limiting yourself to non staining foods.
Gel system applied to the teeth. A cold blue light emitting just enough heat is used to activate the product.
It is best to wait a few weeks post whitening treatment for the color of your teeth to settle before seeing your dentist so that they could better match the restorations to the colour of your teeth.
The main difference between both, is the gel concentration and the number of treatments performed. A dental office will use on average, 35% of hydrogen peroxide compared to 16% for all cosmetic teeth whitening treatments.
- Pregnant or lactating
- Under the age of 14
- Those with open cavities, exposed roots and/or gum disease
- Recently had oral surgery
- History of allergic reactions to peroxide products
- People who have braces or had them removed less than 6 months ago
- People with fillings/veneers/crowns, near or behind front teeth
- Periodontal disease, including gingivitis or gums in poor conditions
Blanching is the term used in the occurrence when white spots appear on the gums. This is completely normal and usually returns to its normal color after 15 minutes.
Teeth whitening procedures create temporary results which can last between 6 to 12 months. The effectiveness depends on the client’s habits as well as the porosity of their teeth. Those with larger enamel pores are more susceptible to stains. Immediately after the treatment, the pores are enlarged and the teeth will be most vulnerable to stains for 24-48 hours until they close. Staining beverages and foods should be avoided during this time (please refer to Post Care Procedures). Tooth discoloration will occur faster for heavy coffee/tea drinkers and smokers or those that frequently eat high staining foods (ex. turmeric). For best results, these should be done/consumed in moderation. Clients should maintain regular dental hygiene.
3 sessions of 15 minutes is performed per every teeth whitening treatment. After the initial treatment, one can get a touch-up treatment every 2-6 months. Maintenance products are available - Whitening Pen or Daily White Foaming Toothpaste.
Teeth whitening is not recommended for those with chronic tooth sensitivity. If you are prone to tooth sensitivity, we highly suggest you use Sensodyne Toothpaste for a couple of weeks prior the teeth whitening treatment.
All teeth whitening procedures come with risks. Mild gum irritation may occur during the whitening process but the discomfort quickly subsides after finishing the treatment.