Growing grins

Across the country, and all over the world, the past few years have brought about an  unpresidented resurgence in the amount of people seeking out cosmetic dentistry solutions. People of all ages and demographics are increasingly turning to cosmetic dentistry to achieve a more cohesive, bright, and healthy looking smile to boost their self-esteem. Never before have we seen such a peak in interest here at Queens Park Dental Team, and we welcome these new patients with wide, open arms. Whilst a rising amount of patients are seeking out treatments such as teeth whitening in Bournemouth, there are still a number of potential new patients out there who refrain from seeking such treatments due to fears or concerns about safety. As such, we’ve done our best to address some of these concerns, to help put your mind at ease and allow you to take the next step in brightening your smile.

A sensitive issue

Often, one of the main concerns that causes potential patients from seeking out cosmetic tooth whitening is how treatment can damage the enamel on their teeth and increase sensitivity. The reason behind these concerns comes from the rise in over-the-counter home whitening kits, which often do not inform their users of the correct amount of time to wear the retainers. This, sadly, sometimes results in people damaging their enamel as they wear the retainer for far too long in the hope of achieving a whiter smile. At Queens Park however, we use a home-whitening kit which is clinically tested and approved. We use the White Dental Beauty method of teeth whitening, which involves the application of a thin layer of peroxide-based whitening gel within a custom-moulded retainer. This retainer is fitted around each patient’s unique dental structure, by our teeth whitening specialist Hanna. Thereafter, patients are free to take their retainer home and continue the whitening process over around two weeks. Over this time, patients can gradually see the effects of the gel when they wear their retainer – and it gives them the opportunity to tailor how white they wish their smile to be, and mould the treatment around their own schedule and the sensitivity of their teeth.

Reasons for seeking treatment

Discoloration or staining to a patient’s teeth is generally divided into two distinct forms. The first, and the most common form of staining is known as ‘Extrinsic’ discoloration. This form of staining is generally removable through cosmetic teeth whitening, and is caused when foods, beverages, or certain lifestyle choices such as smoking or chewing tobacco, result in superficial stains to a patient’s teeth. The consumption of high-acidic foods and poor oral hygiene can also result in extrinsic discoloration or staining. The second form of staining is known as ‘Intrinsic’ discoloration, which is when the actual inside of the tooth has become stained. This is a far rarer form of staining which is generally caused by taking certain medications, or a medical condition. Whilst this form of staining can be brightened by cosmetic teeth whitening, it generally requires more treatment than extrinsic discolouration. However, through our method of home-whitening, patients can gradually achieve a whiter, healthier looking smile which will renew their sense of self-esteem and confidence, and keep them smiling for some time to come.