Professional Teeth Whitening: Your Key to a Bright & Beautiful Smile
Professional teeth whitening is an incredibly popular cosmetic dentistry procedure in Ireland that can brighten your smile. Not only can it give you photogenic, pearly whites that look fantastic, but a bright smile can improve your self-esteem and confidence.
Although teeth whitening strips, toothpaste, and other such products are ubiquitous in supermarkets and elsewhere, they simply can’t provide the same satisfactory bleaching that professional teeth whitening can. Your local dental practice can give you the best teeth whitening in Cork and brighten your smile with multiple shades.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry treatment involving the bleaching of healthy, natural teeth to achieve a full and bright smile. The procedure often involves using gels containing bleaching agents such as carbamide and/or hydrogen peroxide to remove stains and discolouration.
The use of teeth whitening products is regulated in the European Union and, in Ireland, only dental practitioners may use products containing between 0.1% and 6% hydrogen peroxide. All over-the-counter strips, gels, powders, toothpaste, and other teeth whitening products may only contain up to 0.1% hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, over-the-counter products can be very ineffective when compared to professional teeth whitening from a dentist.
Teeth Whitening Methods
In-Clinic Teeth Whitening from a Dental Practitioner
The most effective way to whiten your teeth is with a dental practitioner in-clinic. Dental practices in Ireland commonly use a procedure whereby teeth whitening gel is applied to the patient’s teeth while the gums and lips are protected with a mouthguard. The gel is usually removed after 20 minutes and can be reapplied to gradually whiten teeth by multiple shades.
Take-Home Whitening Kits
Perhaps one of the most common methods of teeth whitening is to obtain a take-home whitening kit from a dentist. The dentist first takes an impression of your teeth and gums in-clinic to create a custom mouthguard tray to use at home. The kit can then be used at home to whiten your teeth gradually.
Over-the-Counter Products
In Ireland, it is common to find teeth whitening products sold commercially over the counter such as teeth whitening strips, toothpaste, and gels. Note that take-home kits from dentists are far more effective than over-the-counter strips, gels, and other such products because the hydrogen peroxide content is much higher.
The Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening from a Dentist in Cork
Professional teeth whitening from a registered dental practitioner is the best way to achieve a bright and beautiful smile. Some of the key benefits include:
- Much faster results than over-the-counter products
- Can brighten your smile by 5-10 shades or more (results vary depending on the individual)
- Safe products approved by your dental practitioner
- Results can last 6 months to a year or longer
The Teeth Whitening Process at Bandon Dental
We perform teeth whitening by first creating a custom tray/retainer for at-home use by taking an impression of your mouth in our clinic. The process takes around half an hour. You will then be issued a take-home teeth whitening kit to begin bleaching at home.
We also offer a convenient and effective Night White and Day White at-home bleaching option containing Amorphous Calcium Phosphate (ACL) to brighten your smile.
Common Questions About Teeth Whitening
Is teeth whitening safe?
Yes. Teeth whitening in Ireland is safe so long as it is performed by a registered Dental Council practitioner using approved products. Patients must be over 18 years of age. Patients with unhealthy teeth or gums should consider general dentistry treatment before requesting teeth whitening.
How long do results last?
Teeth whitening can last for a few months to a couple of years, depending on lifestyle and habits which can discolour and stain teeth again. Most patients at Bandon Dental experience results of up to six months, which is significantly longer than what any over-the-counter product provides.
Are there any side effects?
Sensitivity in the gums and/or teeth is a somewhat common side effect of teeth whitening. Use your mouthguard and protect your gums from contact with the gel to reduce sensitivity. Speak with your dentist if you continue experiencing sensitivity after applying teeth whitening gel.
How can I maintain my white smile?
Smoking, coffee, red wine, and certain foods and beverages can shorten the results, so refrain from (or cut back on) these habits to prolong the effects. Also, maintain proper oral hygiene by brushing and flossing frequently.
What is the best way to clean my teeth after whitening?
Brush your teeth twice daily and make sure to floss and use mouthwash. Teeth whitening results can last for much longer with good oral hygiene habits and professional teeth cleaning from a dentist in Cork.
Why Choose Bandon Dental for Teeth Whitening in Cork?
Bandon Dental is a general and cosmetic dentistry practice in Cork established in 1980. Our teeth whitening in Cork is effective for a beautifully bright smile, and our dental practitioners make the entire process simple and hassle-free.
Professional Teeth Whitening Treatment for a Bright Smile
There’s little wonder why teeth whitening is amongst the most popularly requested cosmetic dentistry treatment procedures in Ireland. A full, bright smile can greatly improve one’s self-esteem and confidence. Feeling confident with your smile can result in more enjoyable social encounters and photo opportunities.
In-clinic teeth whitening provides near-immediate results, lasting for half a year or longer. These fantastic results can derive from bleaching teeth by up to around 10 shades or brighter due to the care and supervision of your dental practitioner and the amount of bleaching agent used. No over-the-counter teeth whitening product can even compare since legally they must contain less than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, the results of using over-the-counter products are often lacklustre and at best only help to remove some stains and discolouration.
Bandon Dental: General & Cosmetic Dentistry in Cork
Contact us for an initial consultation and more information about our general and cosmetic dentistry services in Cork.
Bandon Dental’s dedicated owner. A highly qualified Dental Hygienist, Deirdre has over a decade of experience, with a diploma in dental hygiene from Cork University’s Dental School and Hospital. Deirdre is committed to continuous up-skilling and investment in the most up-to-date technology in our practice. This ensures our patients receive the highest standard of care, as Bandon Dental stays abreast of the latest advancements in dental hygiene for optimal oral health.