Just as going grey as we get older is a fact of life, so is loosing the natural colour of your teeth. As time passes our teeth gradually become stained form the food and drink we ingest which diminishes their white appearance. This loss of colour affects some people more than others and can often be dependant on lifestyle. People who drink coffee and red wine are more likely to have stained teeth, as are people who use tobacco products of any sort.

Just like dying hair to restore its original colour, it is also possible to return teeth to their original colour, or at least slow down the rate of discolouration. There are many teeth whitening procedures available to patients of various quality and strength. Teeth whitening involves bleaching the stained teeth to break down the stains and make them appear whiter. The process is relatively simple and is offered by most dentists as a basic cosmetic procedure. Most treatments take place in-surgery but dentist can also offer prepared trays to use at home.

The active ingredient in dental bleaching is a form of peroxide that varies in strength in the gels from three to 30 per cent depending on requirements and who is performing the procedure. Higher strength gels can cause damage to soft tissue such as lips and gums, so should only be used by a dentist with the appropriate safety equipment. Patients are advised to exercise great caution when using whitening kits bought from the internet as they can often be of a higher strength than is safe. It is always best to get whitening treatment form a dentist.

Some patients’ teeth respond better to whitening treatments better than others’. Some patients notice marked improvements after one treatment where as others may need several treatments to notice any discernable whitening. However, with the correct treatment it is possible to lighten teeth by up to ten shades, but this depends on your teeth and the type of gel used.