Is teeth whitening safe?

When performed by a trained professional, teeth whitening is safe. Years of research has shown that professional teeth whitening treatments have no adverse effects on your teeth or your gums.

However, many people reject professional teeth whitening treatment and opt for cheaper DIY whitening kits instead. We do not recommend these kits because they can contain dangerous levels of bleach. It’s also not safe to get your teeth whitened by a non-professional, because they could cause permanent damage to your teeth and gums.

So remember: always get your teeth whitened by a trained dental professional.

Will teeth whitening me make my teeth sensitive?

Some people do experience sensitivity after whitening treatments, especially when eating cold or hot foods. However, sensitivity usually goes away within two days after the treatment.

What can I do about sensitivity?

If you do experience sensitivity after a whitening treatment, there are a few things you can to alleviate it:

• If you’re whitening your teeth at home using a tray, then try wearing the tray for shorter periods. This will reduce the amount of time your teeth are in contact with the bleach and therefore should reduce your sensitivity as well.
• Another option is to simply stop whitening your teeth for a few days to allow your teeth to rest. The sensitivity should go away 1-2 days after you last whitened them. After a couple of days have passed, you can start whitening again.
• Use a toothpaste that’s designed for sensitive teeth. These toothpastes contain fewer abrasive ingredients than other toothpastes and some also contain potassium nitrate, an ingredient that helps soothes sensitive teeth.
• Ask your dentist or pharmacist about a fluoride product such as a fluoride tray. These products help to demineralise and strengthen your teeth.

Is everyone suitable for teeth whitening?

While most people are suitable for teeth whitening, there are some people for whom teeth whitening isn’t recommended.

• People with particularly sensitive teeth should avoid dental bleaching because it can worsen their sensitivity problems even further.
• People with gum disease or other dental problems may also be unsuitable for dental bleaching. The dentist may recommend that you wait until your dental problems are treated before you start a course of teeth whitening.
• Pregnant women and breastfeeding women should avoid dental bleaching. This is because no-one knows the effects of teeth whitening treatments on these women and their babies. While studies have shown that teeth whitening is safe for adults, there have been no studies into whether teeth whitening is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Therefore, it’s best to play it safe and wait until your baby is older.
• People who have crowns or caps on their front teeth might want to avoid teeth whitening. This is because crowns, cap and other dental work can’t be bleached. Therefore, any teeth whitening treatments would make your dental work more visible.

If you’re interested in getting your teeth whitened, then make an appointment with us by calling 01384 637835 – one of our dentists will be happy to talk to you about it. You can also read about our teeth whitening services by going to www.bensondental.co.uk/teeth-whitening.

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What problems can Invisalign correct?

One reason patients seek Invisalign is to solve dental problems such as malocclusion and misalignment. When these problems are solved, patients usually find that their oral health improves and that it’s easier to chew and speak.

However, the main reason patients seek Invisalign is to improve their appearance. If you’re unhappy with your smile because your teeth are crowded, separated or crooked, then you’ll very likely be a good candidate for Invisalign. This is because Invisalign can reposition your teeth into their proper positions and give you a better smile.

What are Invisalign aligners like?

Invisalign aligners are made from a transparent thermoplastic material. They’re almost invisible when worn on your teeth, which means people won’t notice that you’re wearing them. Furthermore, all aligners are custom-made for your specific case.

How often will I need to visit the dentist?

After the initial appointments, you’ll probably need to visit your dentist every four to six weeks to ensure the treatment is progressing as planned.

How long does Invisalign take?

Invisalign treatments generally last around a year, but in more complex cases, the treatments can last two or three years. The length of treatment will depend on how misaligned your teeth are, the number of teeth to be corrected, and your age. Your dentist will determine your treatment length.

Why is Invisalign more expensive than braces?

It’s because the Invisalign treatment is completely personalized; all the aligners you’ll wear are made specifically for your teeth from 3D scanned images.

How many hours a day do I need to wear the aligners?

For Invisalign to be effective, you’ll have to wear the aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day. In other words, you’ll be wearing them for most of the day and night. However, you can take them out for a few hours a day to eat and clean your teeth.

Can the aligners fall out when I’m asleep?

It’s highly unlikely that your aligners will fall our when you’re sleeping. The aligners are designed to fit snugly on your teeth, so they should stay in your mouth no matter what you’re doing: sleeping, laughing, talking, etc.

Can adults use Invisalign?

Yes, Invisalign is suitable for adults as well as teenagers. Teenagers can straighten their teeth without drawing attention to their braces, while adults can get the smile they’ve always wanted without putting their lives on hold.

If you want to know more about Invisalign, then we invite you to book an initial appointment at SA Benson by calling 01384 637835.

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Given the state of children’s teeth, we’ve come up with a few tips for parents on how to keep their children’s teeth healthy.

1. Avoid giving sweets to children. This is obvious but still bears repeating: sweets aren’t good for teeth. The sugar in sweets is basically food for bacteria that in turn create plaque and cavities. Therefore, don’t give sweets to children too often.
2. Give healthy snacks. Instead of giving sweets to children, give healthy snacks instead. Some ideas for healthy snacks are carrot sticks, toast, rice cakes, and plain popcorn. Fruit and vegetables are good too – bananas, tangerines, apples and cucumber are all great. But do go sparingly with dried fruit as it’s high in sugar.
3. Use sugar-free medicine. Some medicines contain sugar to make them more palatable to children. But of course, this isn’t good because sugar can lead to plaque. This why sugar-free medications are a better alternative. So, if your child is taking long-term medication, ask your doctor about whether the medication is sugar-free.
4. Wean your baby off her dummy. Although dummies are reassuring to small children, they also encourage an open bite, which is where teeth move aside to make room for the dummy. This is why you should wean your baby off his dummy by the age of twelve months.
5. Don’t give sugary drinks at bedtime. Don’t give your child milk, milkshakes or hot chocolate at bedtime. These drinks are bad because they will sit on the teeth during the night and can lead to dental decay. Water is the only thing your child should be drinking at night.
6. Make brushing fun. Brushing doesn’t have to be a chore for your child. There are lots of cool toothbrushes available, including tv show themed toothbrushes and toothbrushes that play music.
7. Brush together. Children learn best by example, which means you need to show them how to brush their teeth. Try brushing your teeth at the same time as your children so they can see how their parents do it.
8. Use disclosing tablets. You might remember disclosing tablets from when you were a child – they’re the things that stain your teeth blue where you haven’t brushed them enough. We recommend disclosing tables because kids love seeing their teeth turn blue and it’s an effective way to show children where they need to brush better.
9. Take your baby to the dentist. You might think that babies are too young to see a dentist. However, it actually helps get them used to the sights, smells and sounds and therefore will make future appointments much easier.
10. Take your child to the dentist for frequent check-ups. If you’re not following the nine tips above then your children’s teeth are bound to get cavities sooner or later. At least take your child for frequent dental check-ups to catch problems before they get worse. If you’re looking for a dentist in Cradley Heath, Birmingham, then why not try Benson Dental Practice? We don’t want to blow our own trumpet, but we’re great at working with kids :-).

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