There are a number of reasons why your teeth have become discoloured:
- Age
- Smoking
- Trauma
- Eating & drinking habits
- Genetic predisposition
The most reliable method of tooth whitening or bleaching, is to provide you with a ‘whiten at home’ kit. This includes trays that are custom made to fit your teeth. A small amount of gel is placed in these trays, which are then placed on your teeth. They are usually worn overnight, every night, for between two and four weeks, depending on the severity of the discolouration. People with yellow teeth tend to respond to whitening faster than those with greyish teeth.
Tooth whitening will only work on natural teeth, not crowns, or teeth that have been veneered or filled. However, providing your teeth are natural, there is no reason why you can’t benefit from teeth whitening treatment.
As long as your teeth and gums are free from disease, the treatment itself is very safe and will not damage your teeth, though it’s important to be aware that the treatment may cause some sensitivity immediately afterwards.