A few weeks ago I went to get my teeth whitened, something I’ve been wanting to do forever. Since baby days, my teeth have been more on the yellow side, and I’ve never been very confident in my smile. One often associates yellow teeth with lack of hygiene and dental care – so when you’re born with a yellow tint, all you want to do is hide the ‘should be pearlies’
Man was I glad to meet Emma King at De Waterkant Health – she is a laugh a minute and puts you right at ease. I asked her a few questions to put you at ease too:
1.) How long does this treatment last?
The result lasts for 2-3 years without maintenance. If products are used, your should be able to keep your teeth white for many more years i.e. Britesmile whitening pens and or custom made whitening trays and gel
2.) Who shouldn’t go for this treatment?
Contra Indications include those under the age of 16, pregnant or breast feeding, those with braces or gum disease, claustrophobic patients and those with large decay. For this reason, it is essential you see your dentist or hygienist for your whitening as these problems cannot be picked up any other way. Your dentist or hygienist will work out the whitening programme to suit you and your teeth,and to ensure maximum comfort and the best results.
3.) What are your thoughts on general Whitening Tooth Pastes sold at most supermarkets?
Regular tooth whitening toothpastes are abrasive. Professional whitening tooth pastes that can be obtained at your dentist or oral hygienist , do less damage. It is important to know that toothpastes do not change the colour of your teeth, they merely enhance the colour you have. They can remove surface stains, thereby making the tooth look cleaner and healthier.
4.) What can one expect during the treatment:
The Britesmile tooth whitening procedure is a 1 hour in chair procedure that may only be carried out by a dentist or oral hygienist. Britesmile uses stat of the art technology that combines the use of an LED Light with hydrogen peroxide to achieve the desired result. Results of up to 9 shades whiter can be achieved. Before and after photos and shades are taken. A cheek reactor is places in the mouth and any soft tissue is blocked out to prevent irritation. Hydrogen peroxide gel is placed on the teeth for 3 sessions of 20 minutes . The gel is replenished after each 20 minute session and takes about 1 minute to do. Sensitivity may be experienced but it will only last a few hours and no damage is done to the teeth what so ever. The patient can either listen to music or watch TC during the procedure to pass the time. For 24 hours after the whitening, any food or drinks with colour need to be avoided. This includes coffee, tea, red wine and berries.
5.) How should one care for your teeth after the treatment?
The most important part of your whitening process is maintenance. Patients are given either whitening trays and gel which are used for 1 hour once a month, or Britesmile pens which takes about 30 seconds to apply and need to be used for a week every few months. The cleaner the teeth the less chance there is of any staining being trapped against the tooth surface and becoming absorbed into the tooth itself. Hydrogen peroxide has antibacterial properties, so not only does the bacteria get killed during the procedure and subsequent maintenance sessions, when your teeth are whiter it makes them look more youthful and healthier and gives you more confidence to want to smile. patients tent to take better care of their teeth as they want to keep them looking beautiful.
So what did I think! The procedure was a breeze. I found the mouth guard rather uncomfortable after a while, (It’s one size fits all and my mouth is on the smaller side). I had a couple tooth pains that afternoon, but then nothing again. Then I stared in the mirror…. at every traffic light driving home.
The funny thing is, as Emma warned, no one really notices, which is a good thing. Nothing worse than after being for a spray tan, some one saying, “oh, have you been for spray tan?’ I’ve noticed there have been a couple of looks, like “what’s changed, something’s different” 
People expect your teeth to look healthy and vibrant, so they don’t think of your teeth as being different.
If I need to do this in a few years time again, I’d be in that dental chair in a flash. It really has give me far more confidence and my teeth look healthy. I am all smiles!
BEFORE: Morning of appointment
Straight after appointment
3-4 days later after doing gel and plates for 3 days for an hour each.
Emma is offering a special discount:
R3600 for a BriteSmile tooth whitening procedure , touch up a week later, a cleaning and a year’s maintenance kit consisting of custom made whitening trays and take home gel, usually costs R4800. A saving of R1200! Fabulous!
For more information, see De Waterkant Health.
