Spring may not have arrived quite yet, but there are a few early signs that many of us will have noticed. As the weather gradually warms up and the sun makes more regular appearances, we often turn our thoughts to outdoor activities such as holidays abroad or socialising, perhaps at an outdoor barbeque, with our friends and family.
Spring is also a time when we start to prepare for the change in seasons, with many of us throwing out older clothes and refreshing our wardrobes with brighter colours. At Purley Dental Care, we also often see a rise in the number of our patients who are looking to give their smile a bit of a spring and summer boost. One of the most popular treatments for this is the teeth whitening procedure.
The most obvious reason for having your teeth whitened is simply that they look nicer. Most of us would probably like to see some improvement in the colour of our teeth, and especially those of a certain age whose teeth have started to look dull and discoloured through the natural process of ageing.
While it is great for teeth to look nicer, there are other potential benefits too. We are more likely to feel confident about our smile if we are happy with the way that our teeth look. It has been shown that our smile is one of the first things that people notice about us when they meet us for the first time. This could give you an important advantage in situations such as dating or attending a job interview. A warm, attractive and friendly smile is likely to see you attracting new people into your life too.
Many of you will have seen teeth whitening toothpastes advertised on TV, and some may have even tried them and probably been disappointed in the results. There is a good reason for this. Because of health and safety regulations, only a small amount of the active whitening ingredient is allowed in these toothpastes, compared with a professional teeth whitening treatment supplied by a dentist. Understandably then, you should not expect to attain the same results, and indeed, you may notice little or no improvement if you rely solely on these toothpastes.
We offer two teeth whitening treatments at our Purley dental clinic in the shape of Boutique and Enlighten. You can read about the specifics of each on the teeth whitening page of our website. Essentially though, they use a similar method and allow you to have professionally whitened teeth, largely in the comfort of your own home.
The first step to take, if you are unhappy about the way that your teeth look, is to arrange to have an initial consultation with one of our cosmetic dental team. They will examine your teeth and gums for any health issues which may need to be treated first. After all, there is little point in whitening a tooth where decay is present. They will also discuss what you are hoping for from the results of your treatment.
Many of you will have seen celebrities on TV who have dazzling white smiles and you may even want this yourself. Many people though prefer a more subtle improvement in the whiteness, as going from a dull yellow to a bright white might be too big a step for some people. The good news is that these treatments are customisable to allow you to attain the shade of whiteness that you want.
Once you have had your initial consultation, we will take impressions of your teeth which are used to make the trays into which the whitening gel will be placed. This is done to ensure maximum efficiency and comfort. When these are ready, you will be given them and the appropriate strength whitening gel, along with full instructions, so that you can whiten your teeth at home. We will always be available for any questions or if you have any concerns throughout the treatment period.
The whitening process usually takes a couple of weeks of wearing your trays for a short period of time each day, which will be advised by the dentist. What a great excuse to put your feet up and read a book or watch your favourite box set on TV! You should start to notice the initial improvements in about one week, with the full benefits being seen after approximately two weeks. Depending on the system used, you may also be invited back to the practice for a final stabilising treatment.
The whole process is non-invasive and ideal for even the most nervous dental patient. After two weeks, you will have a great new white smile which we are sure you will be delighted with.
If you would like to find out more about these treatments and how we can help to transform your smile for the spring and summer, why not arrange your initial consultation today? You can call Purley Dental Care on 020 8660 2928. We look forward to helping you have a great looking smile!
