Teeth are often stained from smoking, food, drink (coffee, tea, or red wine), or poor oral hygiene. This is the most common cause of an unattractive smile. Teeth whitening aims to restore the whiteness to natural tooth enamel to give you a more youthful smile.

It is a very successful and easy way of eliminating most external and some internal stains from your teeth, without causing any damage. This can be achieved with either an in-office procedure done by your dentist, or by using a custom made home system. While in-office whitening is considered to be much quicker and more effective, many appreciate at home whitening for its ease of use and lower cost.

What are your options?

There are currently two professionally controlled procedures available to suit both your lifestyle and your pocket.

In-Office Whitening

With in-office whitening you can achieve significant colour change in a matter of hours. This procedure involves the carefully controlled use of a relatively high-concentration peroxide gel, applied to the teeth by the dentist or trained professional, after the gums have been protected with a paint-on barrier. Generally, the peroxide remains on the teeth for several 15 to 20 minute intervals that add up to an hour (at most). Those with particularly stubborn staining may be advised to return for one or more additional bleaching sessions, or may be asked to continue with a take-home whitening system. BRITESMILE is one of the most popular in-office products available in South Africa and you can expect to pay R4000 - R5000 for the procedure.

Take-Home Whitening Kits

Many dentists are of the opinion that professionally dispensed take-home whitening kits can produce the best results over the long haul. Take-home kits incorporate an easy-to-use lower-concentration peroxide gel that remains on the teeth for an hour or longer (sometimes overnight). The lower the peroxide percentage, the longer it may safely remain on the teeth. The gel is applied to the teeth using custom-made bleaching trays that look like mouth guards. This is repeated daily for a period of two or more weeks, or until you have achieved the whiteness you desire. The OPALESENCE home whitening system is the market leader in South Africa and you can expect to pay R2500 – R3000 for the kit and follow-up visits.

Maintenance

Following the completion of your whitening procedure, it is normal to experience a slight degree of relapse within the first 24-48 hours. Also, through the normal staining of daily eating and drinking, you may experience a gradual shade relapse. This will depend on how often you have coffee, red wine, tobacco, or other staining foods and drinks. This can generally be managed by using a maintenance program at home. This may include repeating the use of your special trays with whitening gels or whitening toothpaste.

Potential Problems

There are some risks and limitations associated with bleaching procedures. Fortunately the problems experienced are uncommon and usually minor. Some things to be aware of:

1. Tooth sensitivity – During the whitening procedure some people might experience tooth sensitivity. This sensitivity is usually mild and typically does not last. If the discomfort persists, a mild painkiller like Myprodol will usually be effective.
2. Gum Irritation - Temporary inflammation of the gums and other soft tissue can occur during your whitening. This is generally the result of the whitening gel coming in contact with the gums. The irritation it is generally short-lived and disappears as soon as the gel is removed. A mouth rinse can be useful.
3. Existing fillings and other restorations – Tooth coloured fillings, crowns or veneers - will not whiten during this procedure. Please be aware that dental restorations that show when you smile, might need to be replaced if you feel they do not match your new whiter smile.