You don’t need a complete smile makeover to feel happier with your teeth. Often, a few small changes to your daily routine, or a little help from your dentist, make the real difference.
If you’re bothered by staining, uneven edges or how one particular tooth looks, there are several options worth thinking about. The key is finding what works for you, without feeling pressured to change anything you’re already happy with.
Start With the Basics
A healthy smile always starts with good oral hygiene. Brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste removes plaque and helps protect against tooth decay. Your toothbrush can’t reach between your teeth, though, so clean those gaps every day with floss or interdental brushes.
It’s also worth keeping up with routine dental check-ups, so your dentist can spot potential problems early. A scale and polish with a hygienist can remove surface staining from tea, coffee and smoking, which can make a noticeable difference on its own.
These everyday habits can’t change the natural shape or shade of your teeth. They are, however, the foundation every cosmetic treatment is built on.
Is Professional Teeth Whitening Right for You?
Teeth pick up stains over time from habits you barely think about, such as drinking tea, coffee and red wine, or smoking.
Professional teeth whitening lightens the natural shade of your teeth and can reduce many types of staining. At Sharrow Dental, we make custom-fitted trays that you wear at home with a whitening gel. Results usually start to show after 10 to 14 applications.
Before you start, your dentist will check your teeth and gums and look at what’s causing the discolouration. They’ll then tell you honestly whether whitening is likely to work. This matters even more if you already have sensitive teeth, as temporary sensitivity is a common side effect.
A few things worth knowing, based on NHS guidance on teeth whitening:
- Whitening only works on natural teeth. Crowns, veneers and fillings won’t change colour, so they may need replacing to match afterwards.
- Results are not permanent. With good care, the NHS says they may last around three years.
- Whitening should only be carried out by a registered dental professional. Salon treatments and online kits can harm your teeth and gums, and you can check anyone’s registration with the General Dental Council.
- Whitening isn’t available on the NHS, and it isn’t offered to anyone aged 17 or under.
Could Composite Bonding or Veneers Help?
Composite bonding
If a chipped tooth, small gaps or uneven edges bother you, composite bonding could be an option. Your dentist applies a tooth-coloured resin and shapes it to improve how the tooth looks. It usually needs no drilling or injections, and most cases are finished in a single appointment.
Bonding can be adjusted later, but it can also stain or chip over time and may need touching up. Your dentist will go through the benefits and limits based on your teeth.
If the gaps or crowding are larger, straightening your teeth with orthodontics may give a better long-term result than bonding.
Veneers
Veneers are thin coverings fitted to the front of your teeth to change their shape, colour or size. They can be made from porcelain or composite resin. Porcelain veneers usually involve removing a thin layer of enamel, so the treatment is normally irreversible. That’s exactly why it’s worth talking through every option with your dentist first.
Health First, Then Cosmetic Treatment
There’s a difference between improving your oral health and changing the way your teeth look. Any decay or gum disease needs treating before cosmetic work is considered, because treatment placed on unhealthy teeth and gums is less likely to last.
If you’re thinking about a change, our cosmetic dentistry Essex page sets out the treatments available and the questions worth asking before you decide.
Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
Does teeth whitening work on crowns or veneers?
No, teeth whitening only lightens natural teeth. Crowns, veneers and fillings keep their original colour, so your dentist will plan around them. They may suggest replacing them once your natural teeth are lighter.
Is professional teeth whitening safe?
Professional teeth whitening is considered safe when carried out or prescribed by a registered dental professional after a check-up. Short-term tooth sensitivity and sore gums are the most common side effects, and they usually settle once treatment stops.
Is composite bonding permanent?
No, composite bonding is not permanent. The resin can stain, chip or wear over time, so it may need polishing, repairing or replacing in future. In return, it usually needs little or no change to your natural tooth.
Take the First Step
Small changes are a good place to start, but a professional assessment will show you exactly where you stand. Call Sharrow Dental on 01245 354046 to talk through your smile goals and the options that suit your teeth. You’ll get honest advice, with no pressure to go ahead.
Sources
- NHS: Teeth whitening
- NHS: How to keep your teeth clean
