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Over the past few years, it has become commonplace for everyone to sport a white and seemingly healthy-looking smile, and there are a plethora of products available over-the-counter or online. However, please don’t forget that teeth whitening is a dental treatment and is best carried out under the supervision of a dental professional.

The products you can buy are quite different from the professional strength products we use. Also, these over the counter products have the potential to harm your teeth when overused or used incorrectly and can harm your dental health if you have untreated issues like cavities or gum disease. Everyone’s teeth will whiten slightly differently, and if you have dental restorations like crowns, bridges or veneers, or white fillings, these will not change colour.

When you come to see us for a teeth whitening treatment, we carefully check your mouth, ensuring you are suitable for this procedure. If you have any dental problems, we can provide suitable treatment beforehand, and we can also advise you on the type of results you can reasonably expect from teeth whitening. The products we use are extremely high quality, designed to minimise undesirable side-effects like tooth sensitivity, and they contain ingredients that can help protect your teeth, like fluoride.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps to protect and strengthen your tooth enamel and is extremely effective when used correctly. Dental fluorosis is a condition that occurs when teeth are exposed to too much fluoride while still developing, resulting in lacy white flecks or even brown stains discolouring tooth enamel. Usually, dental fluorosis is completely harmless, leaving only white spots or lacy flecks over teeth, and it may require no treatment whatsoever. However, if dental fluorosis has caused unsightly stains on teeth, several treatments can help to improve the appearance of these teeth cosmetically.

Possible treatments include teeth whitening, although this may not always be very effective for more severe staining. Another option is to have teeth bonded, where we coat the tooth surface with composite resin in a shade that blends in beautifully with your natural teeth. Dental bonding usually lasts for several years before the composite resin begins to discolour. The rate of discolouration depends on your lifestyle habits. If you want something more long-lasting, we can provide porcelain veneers. A veneer is a thin porcelain shell custom-made to fit over the tooth and bonded onto the surface. It typically lasts ten years or more with proper care.

Springtime is when many people start to suffer from allergies. If you are affected, do you know how it can impact your oral health? Allergies can cause several oral problems, including sore throats, dry mouth, and toothache.

During allergy season, many people begin to experience toothache because mucus builds up in the sinuses, placing pressure on the upper back teeth. Usually, sinuses are designed to drain upwards, but when allergies impact them, this becomes more difficult. However, if you suffer toothache in a different area of your mouth, come and see us just in case you have a tooth infection.

Allergies can also make it more difficult to breathe through your nose, so you tend to breathe through your mouth more often. This can cause dry mouth, where your mouth feels dry and sticky instead of moist and comfortable. When your mouth is drier, it allows harmful bacteria that can cause tooth decay and gum disease to thrive. If you are affected, make sure you drink plenty of water or chew sugar-free gum or sweets.

When your nose is blocked, mucus from the nose drains down the throat and can irritate these tissues. Some people find a soothing hot drink is helpful or suck on sugar-free throat lozenges.