Which type of teeth whitening is best for me?

6th July 2023

Which type of teeth whitening is best for me?

Surrounded by photos of red-carpet-ready celebrity smiles and videos with beauty filters, is it any wonder that many people feel pressure to have whiter teeth?

According to a survey by the Oral Health Foundation, almost a third of Brits would like to have whiter teeth, while two-thirds have considered whitening their teeth.

Teeth can naturally discolour over time as we age, though habits like smoking and consuming drinks that stain can speed up the rate of discolouration. This leads a lot of people to look for the fastest way to get whiter teeth – but it’s essential to research properly.

There are lots of teeth whitening products on the market that either don’t contain enough active ingredients to actually lighten teeth, or potentially contain concentrations that are too high, which are unsafe and can injure gums and damage teeth.

This is why you shouldn’t rely on ineffective over-the-counter whitening toothpastes or strips, and should never trust dangerous home whitening kits that you can find online.

It’s best to go to a dental clinic for professional teeth whitening, where trained staff have access to regulated equipment for safe teeth bleaching procedures.

Of course, the high quality of cosmetic dentistry comes with a higher price tag, but you get what you pay for – safety and longevity. To make sure you get the results you want from your investment, you’ll need to choose the right type of teeth whitening for you.

If you’re tempted to get your teeth whitened, this blog explains who this cosmetic procedure is suitable for, and which types of teeth whitening treatments are available when you come to us for teeth whitening in Warrington.

Is teeth whitening right for you?

Teeth whitening is one of the most straightforward ways to enhance your smile and boost your self-confidence. Perhaps you have a special occasion, important event, or holiday coming up and you want to look your best, or maybe you want to appear younger and healthier in general.

However, you’ll need a consultation with a dentist to check whether you’re a suitable candidate for professional teeth whitening. You must be over 18 years old and have otherwise healthy gums and teeth to be eligible, and you must not be pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you are experiencing tooth decay and/or gum disease, these problems must be treated before addressing discolouration. Teeth whitening is also not suitable for teeth with veneers or crowns, or bridges, dentures, or implants, as it won’t work on these non-organic elements.

A dentist will be able to assess the condition of your teeth and gums, and if you’re eligible, they can discuss the look you’re hoping to achieve, explain your options, and recommend the most effective teeth whitening procedure for you.

At Dental Solutions, we provide a selection of in-office and at-home teeth whitening treatments, including two of the most popular types – Philips Zoom and Enlighten.

To help you decide between in-practice vs at-home and Enlighten vs Zoom teeth whitening, let’s look into what you can expect from each professional treatment type.

Philips Zoom teeth whitening

Philips Zoom is a chair-side treatment that uses UV light rather than traditional lasers to activate bleaching gel applied to the teeth. The LED lamp activates hydrogen peroxide gel to break down stains, resulting in a lighter colour up to seven shades brighter than before.

This process is repeated over three to four 15-minute sessions until the teeth are lightened to the desired shade. You’ll then receive a take-home teeth whitening kit – either Philips DayWhite or Philips NiteWhite – to help you maintain your whiter smile with top-ups as needed.

The Philips Zoom combination package starts from £545, but if you would prefer to carry out teeth whitening at home, you can opt for just a Philips Zoom home whitening kit from £358. In either case, your dentist will advise you on how to use the professional kit before you take it home with you.

Advantages of Philips Zoom teeth whitening treatment that make it such a popular choice include:

• Same-day whiter smile, with treatment completed in just one visit of 1 hour–90 minutes
• Ideal for a quick fix or top-up when you need a brighter smile fast for an event
• Advanced technology minimises discomfort so teeth whitening is not painful
• Brilliant results that can last for up to 1 year (if teeth are taken care of properly)

For a balanced perspective, some people do report tooth sensitivity during the procedure, and the process can be a bit awkward and feel strange, as a rubber dam has to be fitted over your mouth and lips. The home whitening kit also may not achieve the strongest results if your teeth have especially dark staining.

Enlighten teeth whitening

The Enlighten premium teeth whitening system also combines home treatment with an in-clinic procedure. It involves wearing custom teeth whitening trays every night for two weeks, followed by a final whitening session at the dental practice.

First, you’ll visit the dentist to take impressions of your teeth, which will be used to create your custom moulds. When these are ready, you’ll return to collect them, and the dentist will talk you through how to use them over the next 14 days.

The home whitening kit typically includes a 10% carbamide peroxide gel for the first week and a 16% gel for the second week, along with a special serum ‘toothpaste’ to reduce sensitivity. After using these, you must return to the clinic for a 40-minute whitening treatment to seal the final shade.

Enlighten teeth whitening starts from £655, and comes with a B1 shade guarantee – the whitest natural shade possible. Impressively, this treatment can lighten teeth from the lowest colour on the 16-tone VITA scale to the highest, boasting a 98% success rate.

The many benefits that make Enlighten such a market-leading teeth whitening treatment include:

• Only treatment in the world that guarantees whitening to VITA B1 without damaging teeth
• Majority of the process is carried out overnight in the comfort of your own home
• Neutral pH gel and serum help to prevent tooth sensitivity and gum irritation
• Results can last up to 3 years, with top-ups available for your at-home whitening kit

Again, to weigh both sides, there are a few drawbacks. As the whole process takes up to 3 weeks, it’s not as fast, though results do become noticeable from the first few days. You also must avoid foods and drinks that stain throughout this time, though you can resume your normal diet afterwards.

At-home teeth whitening

If you don’t like the idea of spending around an hour or more in a dentist’s chair and would rather whiten your teeth in your own private space and on your own time, an at-home teeth whitening kit will allow you this level of flexibility.

Unlike unprescribed whitening products, purchasing a professional at-home whitening kit from your dentist ensures quality and safety. The trays will be custom-moulded to your teeth and the specially formulated gel will be prescribed according to the shade you want to achieve.

This system is completely bespoke, so you will have impressions taken of your teeth to create trays from a thin flexible material that fit perfectly, and you’ll then be provided with a safe amount of whitening gel and comprehensive instructions on how to use it.

These at-home kits are typically designed to be used every evening or every night for around two weeks to gradually lighten your teeth. Once you’re happy with the shade, you can choose to stop using them, and resume at any time if you want them to be brighter.

The custom-fitted mouth trays are yours to keep forever, so you can top up your teeth whitening whenever you like. All you have to do is purchase additional whitening gel from your dentist as needed – ideal if you want to refresh your smile for an upcoming occasion.

This low-maintenance teeth whitening solution is cheaper than the faster and more intensive in-practice treatments, but the price does depend on the level of whitening you require and whether you choose a specific branded product for your at-home package, such as Philips Zoom.

Teeth whitening Warrington

Not sure which of the teeth whitening treatments we’ve discussed is best for you?sh Get in touch with the Dental Solutions team today to book your teeth whitening Warrington consultation, where our friendly and professional dentists can assess your teeth and discuss our recommendations.

We can help you decide on the most appropriate procedure depending on the condition of your teeth, the number of shades you want to lighten them by, the timeframe you would prefer to complete the treatment in, and how long you want the results to last.

Of course, we can also discuss the best choice for your budget. We offer several payment options, including dental finance, and discounts may be available for monthly dental plan members.

If none of our teeth whitening treatments would be suitable for you, our dentists can also discuss alternative ways to disguise discolouration, such as veneers or composite bonding in Warrington.

To book a teeth whitening consultation or make an enquiry about any of the cosmetic dentistry treatments at our Warrington dental clinic, give us a call on 01925 756 565 or email [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help you discover your dream smile.