Like hair and skin teeth vary in colour naturally. Some are yellower or darker than others, even when healthy but they naturally get darker as you get older. However, teeth can be generally darker than they should be due to staining - smoking, drinking tea, coffee, red wine and even various food products can all contribute to making teeth look yellower. The appearance of your teeth can be greatly improved by 'Whitening'.

Tooth whitening can be done on all visible teeth or on a single tooth that has become dark due to damage. There is lots of research to show that tooth whitening is completely safe and very effective.

Broadly speaking, there are two ways of having your teeth whitened. The quickest and easiest way is to have a whitening 'gel' applied to all the teeth by the dentist in the surgery. The gums are protected by a removable barrier which is painted on to the gums prior to placement of the gel. A powerful blue light is often used to improve the effectiveness of the gel. The procedure takes about an hour after which the gel and gum protection are washed off. You are now ready to show off your new smile!

The second way is just as effective, but requires you to wear a 'tray' - like a gum sheild, at home and so takes longer. The dentist will take impressions of your mouth which are sent to a dental technician. Special trays are made from these so that they exactly fit your mouth. You are then supplied with the trays and the whitening gel with instructions from your dentist.

What are the benefits?

Whitening improves the appearance of your teeth without removing any of the natural tooth surface.

Any drawbacks?

If any of your teeth have crowns, bridges, veneers, or fillings, you may need to have these replaced after whitening as the whitening procedure only works on natural tooth tissue. Your dentist will tell you if this is likely and will discuss all your treatment options and costs in detail.

How much does it cost?

There are different whitening systems in use so costs will vary slightly from practice to practice. Usually, whitening costs between £300 and £600 in total for both upper and lower teeth, depending on the method. The 'take home' method is cheaper than the single visit 'in surgery' method.

Can I just book an appointment to have my teeth whitened?

You will need to see one of our dentists for an initial consultation (currently free). It is important that the dentist checks both your general and dental health, and your suitability for whitening as it's not for everyone.