Whether your teeth are yellow or have stains is not always your fault. Many factors affect the colour of your teeth, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a beautiful white smile. All you need to do is opt for one of the teeth whitening options in the UK.

What does tooth colour depend on?

The biggest influence on whether your teeth are snow-white or have a yellow tinge is your oral hygiene. It's not just about brushing your teeth regularly, but also about the timing and technique of brushing. Remember to floss too.

However, this is not enough! If you want white teeth you must not forget to visit your dentist at least once every 6 months. During hygienization, tartar and plaque will be removed, which are difficult to get rid of on your own. What exactly this treatment, or rather treatments, consists of, you can find out in our article "Dental hygiene in the UK - scaling, tooth sandblasting, polishing and fluoridation". On the other hand, if you want to learn about tooth brushing techniques, we invite you to the material "How to brush your teeth properly".

However, it is not only hygiene that affects the colour of your teeth. It can depend on your natural tooth colour, or more precisely on the dentin and enamel thickness. Genes and even race also have an influence. We wrote more about this in the article "What tooth colour depends on', so if you are interested - please feel free to read on.

If you are unhappy with your smile you can change that and opt for teeth whitening in the UK.

Beware of home remedies for teeth whitening

There is a lot of advice on the web about home methods for whitening teeth. Some suggest baking soda, others lemon juice, others activated charcoal.

While some of these solutions may prove effective In your case, it can also lead to discolouration and damage to the enamel.

For example, cleaning teeth with baking soda mechanically abrades the enamel. This makes the teeth much more sensitive, and the susceptibility to staining also increases. This is not the end of the bad information. With this "method" you can only whiten your teeth to their natural tooth colour.

If you are interested in other home solutions for a white smile and their effects, we recommend our article "Home remedies for teeth whitening - pros and cons".

Teeth whitening in the UK - bet on the professionals

If you are dreaming of a beautiful white smile, the best thing you can do is make an appointment at your dentist's office. Your dentist will be able to assess what 'level of whiteness' you can achieve and suggest specific solutions.

What options do you have for teeth whitening in the UK?

The first is overlay teeth whitening kit at home. How does it work? The whole process starts with a dental check and tartar removal. You then receive two trays, a special gel and instructions on how often to use them.  

With this method, the entire teeth whitening process takes an average of 7 to 21 days, but the first effects are visible after just a few days. On average, this will be a brightening of 2 tones.

Teeth whitening in the UK at the practice

A much more effective method of teeth whitening in the UK is in-office whitening. Here, similarly, the process starts with a medical history. If you have large cavities, decay or periodontitis these may be a contraindication to teeth whitening. The next step is hygienization, or tartar removal.  

What does in-office teeth whitening involve? The doctor applies hydrogen peroxide gel to the teeth (in a concentration much higher than in strips or gels used in overlay whitening kits). Then, using a laser or special lamp, the preparation is activated, which whitens the teeth.

The most effective is a combination of both methods, i.e. in-office whitening and overlays. In our office, we use the Enlighten system for this purpose, which is guaranteed to achieve the colour Vita B1. In the world of dentistry, it stands for the whitest of whites.

Veneers - two in one

If you dream not only of a white smile but also of perfectly straight teeth, veneers are a good solution for you. They are a thin layer of porcelain or composite bonded to your teeth.

With veneers, you don't just change the colour of your teeth, but also their shape, angle, size, whether you close the gap between the teeth.

But before you decide on this solution - IMPORTANT - this is a lifelong decision. When veneers are applied, the natural layer of enamel will be removed from your teeth, and it does not renew. Thus, if you opt for veneers you will be wearing them for the rest of your life. 

For more on this solution, see the article "Dental veneers in the UK. Everything you need to know„.

How much does teeth whitening cost in the UK?

This largely depends on the method you decide on. At our practice, the price for overlay teeth whitening is £250, in-office whitening is £250 and the price for Enlighten whitening is an outlay of £550.

If you are thinking about veneers you have to expect much higher costs. What are they? A composite veneer is £180, a more permanent porcelain veneer £450.

But rest assured, you don't have to spend a large sum at a timeto enjoy a beautiful, white smile. In our office you can benefit from a safe (regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority - FCA number 619628) instalment scheme.

It allows you to spread not only the cost of your treatment, but also your teeth whitening in the UK into instalments that are convenient for you. Thus, for example, you will only spend less than £46 per month for the Enlighten whitening kit, i.e. in-office whitening and trays for at-home whitening.

If you would like to find out more, we invite you to read our article "Teeth on credit: dental treatment on hire purchase", or contact.