As we get older our teeth will start to lose their natural colour. A lifetime of eating foods rich in colouring stains the enamel meaning that we lose the naturally white appearance of our teeth. This affects some people more then others and is also dependant on lifestyle choices. Some food and drinks such as coffee and red wine stain teeth quicker, as does the use of any kind of tobacco product.

Fortunately there is a way to slow down discolouration and even reverse it by undergoing tooth whitening procedures. This in involves bleaching the teeth to remove stains and make them appear whiter. This is a relatively simple cosmetic dentistry procedure that is practised by most dentists in surgery. Some dentists will also offer take home whitening kits with prepared treatments in trays so that the patient can whiten their teeth in the comfort of their own home.

The active ingredient in teeth whitening is a peroxide bleaching agent. The strength of the peroxide in the whitening gels varies from three to 30 per cent, depending on the level of bleaching needed and who is carrying out the procedure. Greater strengths of peroxide can cause damage to soft tissues so are only really used by dentists in surgery. Patients with home treatments will have lower strength kits.

When a dentists is performing an in-house whitening procedure they can use larger strength peroxides because they are also able to use protect equipment to cover the patient’s soft tissue areas. Although most home whitening kits have a lower strength of peroxide, some kits that can be purchased off the internet can be very strong so it is always advised to consult your dentist before applying any whitening gels to your teeth.

Just like some people’s teeth discolour at faster rates than others, some patients respond to whitening much better. For some patients, the results can be dramatic whereas for others, after several treatments the teeth will only appear slightly whiter. It really depends on the nature of your teeth and the type and strength of gel you are using.

Tooth whitening is a very popular procedure and one that if performed safely is relatively pain-free. Some patients experience sensitive teeth for a few days after whitening but this usually passes without any further problems. Consult your Molesey dentist today about having the natural colour of your teeth restored.

Dental veneers are specially designed shells made of porcelain, or other ceramics, that cover the surface of the teeth to cover worn enamel, uneven spacing or alignment and chips and cracks. They can provide almost instant straight teeth and because of today’s translucent quality ceramic, can look even more realistic than was previously possible. Veneers are an increasingly popular cosmetic dentistry tool being used by more patients and dentists to create the perfect smile.

Veneers are also incredibly versatile and able to help solve almost any cosmetic dentistry issue. Worn or stained enamel due to genetic disposition or lifestyle can now be covered by porcelain veneers, as can uneven or worn teeth.

Porcelain veneers are manufactured in laboratory conditions by dental technicians and are bonded to the existing teeth using various types of resin and cements. They are more expensive than ordinary composite resin veneers but last longer and appear far more realistic.

Dental veneers can be used to repair smaller dental issues such as single chips and cracks, or localized unevenness but these can also be fixed using other procedures such as bonding. Veneers work best and have a larger impact when used to re-invent a whole row of teeth, when larger discolouration or uneven spacing is more severe.

Although whitening can often be used to restore discoloured teeth, it is not always effective and will often require several processes and ongoing treatment for noticeable results. Veneers can be a long-term solution to discolouration issues. For alignment issues, the conventional treatment was usually braces, which although effective, often took years to yield results. Porcelain veneers could give you the straight, white teeth you’ve always wanted in an afternoon. A Molesey dentist can offer you a consultation to assess whether porcelain veneers are suitable for your teeth and can provide you with details of costing. Call 01932 223 479 for an appointment with Dr Riten Patel.

There are various causes of tooth discolouration ranging from environmental factors to lifestyle choices.

What you eat and drink can greatly affect the discolouration of your teeth. Drinking coffee, tea, wine or colas regularly can stain your teeth as well as certain foods such as apples and potatoes. Smoking or using tobacco of any sort is also one of the primary causes of discolouration. Making small adjustments to your lifestyle, like cutting back or quitting smoking or drinking coffee, can help stem the staining of teeth.

Poor dental hygiene such as inadequate brushing and flossing can lead to the build up of plaque which can turn into tartar if not removed, which also stains the teeth and also allows staining substances like coffee to remain in the mouth. A visit to a dental hygienist every six months should help to remove plaque and tartar and also they can remind you of the correct methods of dental care.

Certain diseases and medication can also lead to the discolouration of teeth. Diseases which affect the enamel and dentin on the surface of teeth can cause stains and treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy can also cause teeth to loose their natural colour.

Some antibiotics can cause the staining of teeth in children that are still developing, as can some mouthwashes, so it is always important to ask your dentist. Kingston upon thames dentists will be able to advise you which products and medicines are best to use.

There are of course some factors over which you can have no control. Ageing itself causes a natural discolouring of the teeth and some people will naturally have brighter teeth than others. Geographical location can also have an effect as people living in areas with a high fluoride content in the water will often see stains begin to appear.

However, making a few small adjustments to your lifestyle, having regular dental check-ups with your Kingston upon thames dentist and brushing and flossing correctly can help maintain a bright and healthy smile.

Porcelain veneers are being offered at Worcester Park. If you have tooth discolouration, wear, and unevenness and/or damaged teeth, porcelain veneers may be the right choice for you. Also known as porcelain laminates or dental veneers, each of these porcelain veneers are specifically created for each individual patient and each of their individual teeth that are having this dental procedure performed. Porcelain veneers provide an excellent cosmetic result in the correct situation(s). A small amount of tooth structure has to be removed for the placement of porcelain veneers. This involves some of the enamel, and under extreme situations some of the dentin layer of the tooth. This is dependant on the whether the teeth are malpositioned, and by how much.
Two visits are usually required for the porcelain veneers procedure to be completed. The first visit usually involves a smile analysis, and an impression of your teeth are taken so that the dentist can have wax placed on the stone models and show you what your teeth are going to look like. The dentist may also use an intra-oral digital camera and have your teeth image available for you to view on his computer. He will then modify the image to show you the results that can be obtained. Anything you want done and any questions that you may have, should be discussed with your dentist before the porcelain veneer procedure is started. If everything is fine, then the dentist will numb your mouth using local anaesthesia and then prepare your teeth. The dentist will then take the appropriate impressions and a bite registration, and choose a shade that you both have agreed upon.
A temporary composite filling or acrylic shell will be made for every tooth prepared to make sure that you don’t experience tooth sensitivity or an unwanted shift of your teeth during the 2 weeks that it takes to fabricate the porcelain veneers. When you return for your insertion visit, the porcelain veneers will be laid out on the dental tray and are not to be touched by hand on the etched side that is going on toward the tooth surface. The temporary shells are removed from the teeth, and the teeth are prepared to accept the veneers. The veneers will then be bonded onto the teeth using specific bonding materials. The veneers are delicate, but when they are bonded properly onto the teeth, they become very strong, due to the bonding agents and the tooth substructure.
These veneers are designed to create a naturally realistic appearance to the smile, and very aesthetic outcomes have been experienced by the patients. Stains and discolouration can be covered, and the tooth enamel’s natural translucency can shine through. People in the United Kingdom usually have darker teeth than their American counterparts; they also prefer to keep their teeth more natural looking than Americans. Through years of experience, your Worcester Park dentists can achieve the specific result that you desire.