Ask the Dentist: Teeth Whitening

 

Q: Is teeth whitening safe? How long will it last?

A: When done under the supervision of a dental professional, teeth whitening is a safe dental treatment. Your dental specialist / dentist will first check on the root cause of discolouration and advise whether whitening is suitable for your dental condition. If you have the following conditions, you may experience more teeth sensitivity during the teeth whitening process: 

• Generalised gum recession
• Dentin is thinner and enamel is more porous
• Presence of enamel loss due to wear, grinding habits or an acidic diet
• Existing teeth sensitivity (e.g. to hot and cold food/drinks)

Ways to deal with the hypersensitivity include:

• Using a toothpaste that is for sensitive teeth and leave it in your mouth for a few minutes after you’ve finished brushing and before your rinse
• Avoiding consumption of hot or cold food/drinks
• Drinking through a straw

Your dental specialist / dentist will also ensure that the whitening agent used is appropriate and not cause any injury (e.g. chemical burns to the soft tissues in your mouth) or uneven results. 

The effects of teeth whitening generally last for six months to two years, depending on one’s diet and lifestyle habits. If you avoid smoking and staining food/drinks such as coffee/tea, berries and wine, the chances of your teeth staying white will be longer. 

To extend the longevity of your teeth whitening treatment, your dental specialist / dentist may recommend you to carry out a combination of in-clinic teeth whitening and take home whitening kit.

Dr. Tan Kian Meng is a Dental Specialist in Prosthodontics with Specialist Dental Group®. He is also a Clinical Lecturer at the National University of Singapore and Diplomate with the American Board of Prosthodontics. He was formerly a Consultant at Singapore’s Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and Fellow of Maxillofacial Prosthetics and Oncologic Dentistry Fellowship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Tan has special interest in prosthetic and implant restorative dentistry.

www.specialistdentalgroup.com | 6734 9393