Whitening

Professional teeth whitening is one of the easiest and most effective ways to restore vibrancy to your smile. 

West End Dental offers in-chair ZOOM! whitening, completed by one of our trained professionals. We also offer take-home teeth whitening kits that allow you to gradually whiten your teeth at your own pace and in the comfort of your home.

Tooth whitening involves using a medical-grade bleaching agent to remove stains and discolouration from your natural teeth. We sometimes recommend whitening before starting restorative, crown or bridge work so that your new dental prosthetics can be matched to your whiter teeth, rather than to the older, duller colour of your natural teeth.

Professional whitening treatments use a pH-balanced peroxide to lighten your teeth. The treatment is applied carefully, ensuring that only your teeth are affected, which minimises the risk of irritation to the soft tissues in your mouth. The hydrogen peroxide works by entering the tooth enamel, breaking up the stains and removing them.

In chair whitening offers the desired results by the end of the appointment and the process takes 1.5 – 2hrs. The appointment involves taking impressions for at-home bleaching trays to be used for touch-ups, shade match to your current shade and before photos, the isolation of the gums/ mouth and application of the gel (4 sessions x 15mins) and after photos of your new shade and smile.

You will also receive a desensitising gel and Sensodyne toothpaste to use at home.

For the following 7 days, you will not be able to smoke and will have to maintain a ‘white’ diet. You will not be able to eat any foods that stain i.e. tea and coffee, beetroot, curry, soy sauce, BBQ or tomato sauce etc. Easiest way to remember it: if it stains a white shirt, it will stain your teeth!

At-home whitening

At home whitening is more self-paced and the process can take 2-3 weeks depending on each individual. You will come in for an initial appointment to have impressions taken for our at-home customised bleaching trays. At the following appointment, you will be provided with instructions, the bleaching trays and whitening kit.

We recommend using the gel daily for 30-90mins (depending on the strength) – but if your teeth become a little sensitive, you can take 1-2 days break. You must floss and brush before the tray application. The most important part is maintaining a white diet during the ENTIRE whitening process. i.e 2-3 weeks. You will not be able to smoke or eat any foods that stain i.e. tea and coffee, beetroot, curry, soy sauce, BBQ or tomato sauce etc. Easiest way to remember it: if it stains a white shirt, it will stain your teeth!

When performed according to professional guidelines, teeth whitening is a safe procedure. Having your treatment managed by a dental expert ensures the right strength and formulation is used, tailored to your unique needs. While some patients experience temporary sensitivity, this is normal and usually resolves within a day. The whitening process opens the internal channels of the teeth to remove tough stains, which can cause this mild sensitivity—similar to the sensation of eating something cold like ice cream.

Teeth whitening is generally safe and effective for individuals with healthy teeth and gums. However, it may not be suitable for:

• Children under 16, as whitening treatments could irritate the tooth pulp or cause sensitivity
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• People with allergies to peroxide
• Those with tooth and gum sensitivity
• Individuals with receding gums, defective restorations, or untreated dental issues like cavities, eroded enamel, exposed tooth roots, or gum disease
• Patients with dental restorations on the front teeth such as fillings, crowns, bonding, bridges, or veneers. The whitening gel only works on natural tooth structure and will do not whiten ceramic or filling material. This can lead to uneven results between treated teeth and restorations. It is important to speak to your dentist and see if this is a suitable option for you. 

If you’re considering a brighter smile, consult with your dentist to see if whitening is right for you!