Optident Teeth Whitening

Why have my teeth become changed colour?

Unfortunately, even if you look after your teeth and clean them regularly, there is still a chance they can become stained or discoloured as you get older. As time passes, the enamel surface of your teeth becomes more porous and therefore it absorbs stains quicker than when you were younger. It’s not something you can avoid, but you can deal with the results by having your teeth whitened.

Your teeth may also become darker or appear stained if you eat a lot of foods with strong colorants in them – such as curry – or drink a lot of red wine or coffee. Over time, layers and layers of staining will start to build up, and brushing alone won’t be able to remove them. Smoking is best avoided too, if you want to keep your smile at its whitest. The nicotine in the cigarettes doesn’t just stain your fingers, it will turn your teeth a nasty yellow colour too – this is extremely difficult to remove with an everyday hygiene routine.

If you have damaged teeth as a result of an accident or dental surgery, it’s possible that this is causing the darkness of the enamel – if you have only one discoloured tooth this is more than likely. Nerve endings and blood vessels in the centre of the tooth have been broken and can’t send the appropriate messages through the mineral layers of the tooth to keep it alive and regenerating. If the inner workings are no longer functioning then the tooth is dead, but this doesn’t mean it has to be removed, unless the damage leaves it vulnerable to infection.

What is Optident?

Optident is a whitening treatment that can brighten up your dull, discoloured smile. The gel contains 15% peroxide and is given to patients by a dentist for use at home. It’s a popular take-home kit that’s recommended as a follow up procedure to having your teeth professionally whitened. Optident gives results in days and is an affordable alternative to having repeat sessions at the surgery. The staff at the Pearl Dental Clinic in London can confirm the lasting effects of this whitening treatment, and can give you tips on the best way to use it yourself.
This patented, ADA accepted formula can make your teeth gleam in a way harsh abrasives and whitening toothpastes just can’t. It’s high viscosity means that the bleaching gel stays on the teeth and doesn’t irritate your lips or gums, and the peroxide content breaks through stain build-up in no time – some patients have even seen results over night.

How does it work?

When you purchase your Optident teeth whitening, along with the whitening gel, you will receive a custom tray to apply the product to your teeth. The tray helps to keep the gel from touching the gums and stops it spreading to the rest of the mouth; bleach can sometimes burn or irritate these areas, so it’s important to protect the soft tissues around the teeth. Some whitening products – namely off the shelf products – only provide one size of tray in a uniform shape; this is not ideal for keeping the bleaching agents on the teeth and away from other areas. Optident is dentist approved and has a uniquely shaped tray to make sure the job is done efficiently and safely.
After you have cleaned your teeth, fill the tray with the specified amount of gel, then place it in your mouth so that it fits comfortably over your teeth – make sure you don’t overfill it. The active ingredients in the gel will start to work on any stains, and the peroxide concentrate whitens dark shades to their brightest finish.

How long does it take?

That depends on the condition of the teeth before the gel is applied, if you have recently had your teeth whitened professionally and you’re using Optident to keep them white, then you could wear the tray for as little as thirty minutes a day. However, most patients find that they get the best results when they use the product overnight; the ingredients in the gel stay active for up to ten hours, so your teeth can be continually whitened as you sleep. For general up keep, use the gel at nighttime or during the day for between one and six hours, you can also wear it for thirty minutes three times daily if you have the time to spare.

Will it work on all teeth?

All natural teeth, yes. Composite fillings, veneers or crowns won’t whiten because the gel is designed to work with the porous mineral layers and not with manufactured materials.
After your dentist has whitened your teeth at the surgery, they will advise you to wait a few weeks before using Optident, this is because there are likely to be some changes in the shade of your teeth after the procedure. Sometimes the shade can darken slightly after the initial whiteness, this is because the tooth has become dehydrated during the procedure and is now recovering. One big advantage of Optident is that it has a high water and lower bleach content than professional grade products, this makes it ideal for home use because it won’t dehydrate your teeth as much, so they’ll stay whiter for longer.
Optident teeth whitening gel has been shown to be tremendously effective with very tough staining, and it’s success rate is as high as 95% when used correctly. In order to get the best out of your product follow the instructions that come with it and always listen to your dentist. Maintain an active hygiene routine and stay away from foods that have stained your teeth in the past.

Is it safe for everyone?

Whilst Optident whitening is a very safe and effective procedure, it’s not advised that pregnant or lactating women use it. It’s not life threatening, but dentists are likely to err on the side of caution where peroxide is concerned and recommend waiting until the baby is born or has finished breast-feeding.