With a significant lockdown now generally over and with restrictions being eased all the time, (albeit with a degree of caution), we seem to be slowly returning to some sort of normality again. Although some people can’t wait to get back out into society, understandably, others may just be slowly and cautiously emerging and may take a little longer to get their confidence back.
As we take stock of what we currently can and can’t do, we will also probably start to think of the impact that the restrictions of the last few months have had on our lives, and where it is a negative one, what can we do to start to reverse this. From a dental point of view, for those of you who have noticed that your teeth have lost the whiteness that you once took for granted, the Sync Dental Centres can help.
Of course, it isn’t just in lockdown that tooth discolouration can occur. It can, and does, at any time in our life. Lockdown though may have led to us changing certain habits or indeed, increasing the regularity of those that we already have. These might include, for example:
Tea drinking – Whilst stuck at home, we may well have drunk more tea than we normally would. The tannin in tea is notorious for staining your teeth.
Alcohol – Especially if you are a red wine drinker, this is likely to have taken its toll on your teeth. White wine and many alcoholic drinks are also acidic and can lead to a rougher tooth surface which helps to attract and trap staining.
Smoking – Hopefully one that everyone avoided, for both general and oral health reasons. It goes without saying that if you did start, or increase the number you smoked, the tar will almost certainly have caused some tooth discolouration.
As we start to socialise again and venture out into the world, we want to look our best. We can buy new clothes, have our hair done, but nothing beats a warm greeting when meeting others than a white, attractive smile. It is said that people make decisions about us based on the first few seconds, so greeting them with a bright and friendly smile should go a long way.
Even without staining though, teeth will discolour over time. As we age, the inner part of the tooth becomes darker and this shows through the translucent enamel on our teeth. For this reason, no amount of brushing will resolve the problem. For anyone looking to whiten their teeth, whether through surface or internal discolouration, the most effective option is to have a pro teeth whitening treatment at our Addlestone dental practice.
We currently offer two options to whiten your teeth. This can either be done within the practice or in the comfort of your own home.
In-house whitening
If you choose to have your teeth whitening in-house, this can be done in just one hour. First of all we protect your gums to prevent any irritation from the whitening gel. The gel will then be applied to your teeth and activated using a special light. Typically within one hour, the treatment is complete and your teeth will have been whitened by several shades.
At-home whitening
If you would rather not spend an hour at our practice, we offer ‘at home whitening’. To do this, we will need to take impressions of your teeth. From these, ‘trays’ will be made into which you will place the whitening gel that we supply. You will be given full instructions but essentially, you will need to wear these for a few hours a day at your convenience, for a couple of weeks.
Both of these methods work well, and your choice will probably depend on what fits in best with your own lifestyle. We are always happy to talk to you about any aspect of this treatment and answer any questions that you might have.
Whilst there are no actual health benefits from having whiter teeth, there is little doubt that not only do they look good, but they can really help you to feel more positive about yourself and feel more confident in smiling when around other people. The procedure is fast acting, effective, painless and is one of the most affordable cosmetic treatments available.
If you would like to find out more about this treatment and how it can be of benefit to you, why not contact us to arrange an initial consultation with one of our experienced cosmetic dentists? You can do so by calling the Sync Dental Centres in Addlestone on 01932 856541. We look forward to helping you!