When people talk about cosmetic dentistry, a teeth whitening treatment is usually the first thing that comes to mind. It is quick, safe, and the results are often impressive. The real story though isn’t just about the shade of your teeth—it’s about how those brighter teeth make you feel and what that means in your day-to-day life.
At the Smile Dental Practice Croydon, we’ve seen how teeth whitening can give people far more than just a nice photo-ready smile. The benefits go deeper than you might expect, not just in your appearance but the way that it makes you feel and the benefits that can bring. We will take a look at this in more detail now.
Most of us have, at some point, held back from smiling in photos or covered our mouth when laughing. Stains from tea, coffee, red wine or simply the passing of time can make us self-conscious about the way that our teeth look. Whitening helps remove those years of staining and gives you a smile you actually want to show off. That change is more than cosmetic - it’s confidence, and people wil start to notice it.
Teeth naturally darken as we age. Even if we were fortunate enough to avoid staining from food and drinks, the inner dentin part of our teeth, which lies below the tooth enamel, starts to darken as we become older. This can lead to our teeth taking on a yellowish hue as the darker dentin starts to show through the enamel, spoiling what used to be a nice white smile. Our teeth whitening procedure doesn’t just make your teeth lighter, it makes your whole face look fresher. Our Croydon dental patients often say that friends tell them that they look “healthier” or “rested” after treatment. It’s not about chasing a blindingly white Hollywood smile, but about restoring the level of whiteness that feels natural to you.
One of the side benefits we hear again and again is that whitening motivates people to look after their teeth better. When you’ve invested in a brighter smile, you don’t want to undo it. Brushing and flossing feel more worthwhile, and those regular check-ups become something you feel more positive about.
There are plenty of whitening toothpastes and kits you can buy online and you've probably seen them on TV adverts too. The problem is, most of them either don’t work very well or can actually damage your teeth and gums. Over-the-counter gels are weak and usually ineffective, while abrasive pastes can wear down enamel, not only leading to further staining but possibly sensitive teeth as well. This is particualrly so when used over-zealously.
Professional teeth whitening is different. At our local Croydon dentist, we start with a check-up to make sure that your mouth is healthy. We then use the popular Zoom teeth whitening system to whiten your teeth. This is a fast acting and non-invasive treatment that enables you to leave our dental practice with a greatly improved smile. The gel we use is stronger than anything you can buy in the shops, but it’s applied safely under experienced supervision. The result is even, natural and long-lasting.
The results don’t last forever and diet and lifestyle can slowly bring back stains. However, with good dietary and cleaning habits and the occasional top-up, many patients enjoy their brighter smiles for a year or two. Keeping consumption of tea, coffee, and red wine and other staining products to a minimum will help, as will regular cleaning appointments with our local hygienist.
It should be noted that whitening works brilliantly on natural teeth, but it doesn’t change the colour of crowns, veneers, or large fillings. It also isn’t usually recommended during pregnancy. That’s why the consultation is important and your dentist can talk you through what’s possible and whether another treatment (such as bonding or veneers) might be a better option for you.
So what do you actually gain by having whiter teeth? Yes, you’ll look better in photos and feel good about your reflection. But you are also likely to gain more confidence in social situations, motivation to look after your teeth, and a fresher, healthier appearance that others will notice. It’s one of the simplest dental treatments, yet the effect it has on people’s lives can be huge.
If you’ve ever wondered whether a teeth whitening procedure is right for you, come and talk to us at the Smile Dental Practice Croydon by calling us on 020 8649 7911. We’ll walk you through the options, keep it safe, and make sure the results look natural, not fake. Because when you’re happy to smile without holding back, the treatment has really worked!
Call our team today to start your journey to renewed smile confidence.
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