A healthy smile is a white smile. Unfortunately, our beloved foods and beverages can damage, stain and discolour our natural teeth. The enamel on our teeth is porous and susceptible to acids and staining. Oranges, tomatoes, some berries, sports drinks, soft drinks, wine and candies contain acids that can wear away at our enamel. The protective layer on the outside of our teeth. Acids strip our enamel and staining chemicals are free to discolour teeth. Even when we take these things out of our diets, our teeth remain stained and discoloured. Despite our best oral hygiene habits, we can’t seem to improve the whiteness of our teeth. Professional teeth whitening could be the answer you’re looking for, with immediate and gradual results. After our professional teeth whitening treatment, patients have an improved whiter smile. Over the next week, patients can also experience further, gradual whitening.

The daily consumption of staining discolouring foods and beverages like tea and coffee can leave us insecure about our smile. If this sounds like you, you could benefit from professional teeth whitening.

Tooth whitening is suitable for patients without crowns, veneers, fillings and root treatments on their front teeth. Calcium deposits should also be addressed before treatment as the whitening process can highlight these areas, although usually settle in a few weeks. If you have gum disease or receding gums, whitening treatment is also not advised.

At-Home Teeth Whitening vs Professional Teeth Whitening in Turkey

Home-whitening kits and whitening strips contain a few different bleaching chemicals such as: Chlorine, sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, and hydrogen peroxide. Usually these chemicals are between 10%-15% concentration to avoid sensitivity. Whitening toothpastes can contain these chemicals and/or contain abrasive materials designed to damage the top layer of enamel.

Clinics in the European Union are only able to provide teeth whitening solutions with up to 6% bleaching concentration. Here at Dentares Smile Clinic, in Turkey, we are able to use a powerful 30-40% bleaching solution to tackle the heaviest of stains.

Patients receive a free panoramic x-ray for the doctor to firstly screen for any dental decay or infection of the gum and or teeth. Previous root treatments and fillings are able to be seen on the x-ray. Provided the patient’s oral status is good health, the doctor can start preparations for the bleaching.

Patients will have a deep clean of their front and lateral incisors, canines and premolars. Bacteria, plaque, and tartar build-up is removed. The teeth are then polished. A thin line of protective gel is carefully set in place on the gum line. A drop of whitening chemical is then placed on each tooth. The patient is now prepared to receive laser treatment. The patient wears ultra-high UV protective glasses, and the doctor aligns a blue light at an appropriate distance from the mouth and a timer is set. The light is set and the patient remains still for the remainder of the treatment. Whitening time can last anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes. Once the time is up, the doctor turns off and removes the light. The bleaching chemical is then cleaned from the tooth and the protective gel removed from the gum line. The treatment is complete.

Patients will experience hyper-sensitivity for the remainder of the day and will gradually decrease over the week. This is normal.

Aftercare

Patients that have had professional teeth whitening at the clinic can expect hyper-sensitivity for about a week and should avoid hot and cold foods and beverages. Drinking with a straw is recommended to avoid direct contact with liquids. A sudden inhale can induce sensitivity, so nasal breathing is advised.

The bleaching chemical opens the enamel therefore, susceptible to staining & discolouring foods and beverages. So it is highly advised to avoid drinking coffee, tea, orange juice, wine and acidic foods like tomatoes, citrus fruits, berries and curries for the next 7 days.