Teeth Whitening Dentist Singapore

What is 'Teeth Whitening'?

Teeth whitening in Singapore has become highly popular, and demand is increasing. It is a procedure to lighten the natural colour of your teeth without removing any tooth structure. While over-the-counter teeth whitening kits are widely available in Singapore, are they the best option for achieving your brightest smile? Our teeth whitening dentist will help you get whiter teeth and a brighter smile with our in-clinic teeth whitening treatments.

Why would I need teeth whitening?

Teeth become yellow with age and can become stained on the surface through daily exposure to food and drinks such as tea and coffee. Tartar or calculus can also affect the colouration of the teeth. Internal staining is also fairly common. This may have been caused by minute cracks in the teeth or certain antibiotics during teeth development. Check out a list of foods that can stain your teeth here.

Types of Stains

Here are some of the things that cause tooth stains: 

• Extrinsic (external) stains – the outer layer of the tooth, called the enamel, is stained. This may happen due to:
  • Diet – frequent consumption of coloured foods like coffee, tea, cola, or red wine that stain your teeth.
  • Smoking – nicotine and tar in tobacco will stain your teeth above the gum line, causing your teeth to become yellow-brown. 
  • Poor dental hygiene – dental plaque and calculus that form on teeth due to poor dental hygiene can result in the discolouration of teeth.
  • Environmental factors – fluoride can also cause teeth discolouration. Products high in fluorides such as mouthwash or toothpaste can cause your teeth to become discoloured.
• Intrinsic (internal) stains – this happens at the deeper layer of the enamel and the dentin, the tissue below the enamel. These stains give your teeth a yellowish or greyish hue. There are many reasons for this:
  • Antibiotics – some antibiotics given to children whose teeth are still developing can stain them.
  • Dental trauma – teeth can be discoloured from the inside out due to bleeding from the tooth itself, which decomposes and leaves a blue-brown stain
  • Genetic factors – a small number of people may have congenital discoloured teeth (from birth).
  • Ageing – the outer layer of our teeth called the enamel gets eroded with age, exposing the dentin. The dentin starts to yellow as we age, thus appearing stained. 

If you find that your teeth are stained and want help removing them, contact us for teeth whitening services or other possible options. 

Is dental whitening for you?

Naturally, prior to any treatment, our teeth whitening dentist will do a thorough examination and diagnosis. We recommend scaling and polishing before teeth whitening is performed.

The success of teeth whitening depends on the cause of discolouration, how long the teeth have been discoloured and other factors.  Anyone with teeth that are stained from age, coffee, tea, or smoking is an ideal candidate for teeth whitening. Patients with healthy, natural, and unfilled teeth often achieve good results. Teeth darkened with extrinsic or surface stains respond better to bleaching than teeth with deep, intrinsic discolouration caused by Fluoride or Tetracycline. These types of stains are unlikely to produce dramatic results. We generally do not recommend bleaching for sensitive or worn teeth; teeth with large fillings or crowns; and teeth affected by gum disease.

Teeth Whitening Options in Singapore

PHILIPS ZOOM In-office Teeth Whitening Treatment

PHILIPS ZOOM In-office Teeth Whitening treatment offers good results. This procedure takes just over an hour. It is more costly. However, the time you can save by having immediate results makes this option appealing. A protective gel layer is placed on your gums adjacent to the teeth and hardened. Then the whitening gel is applied on your teeth.

Teeth Whitening Home Kits

Teeth Whitening Home Kits take longer to achieve the desired results than in-office bleaching but they are more convenient in terms of time and more cost-effective. Teeth-Whitening Gel (about a third of a tube) is applied on the tray according to the dentist’s instructions. After placing in the mouth, any excess gel which has flowed out should be wiped away gently. Depending on the concentration of the gel, these clear trays are usually worn a couple of hours a day or overnight. It usually takes a couple of weeks before results are noticeable.

For both In-office and Home Kit Whitening, certain food that can cause stains easily (eg. red wine, tomato sauce) have to be avoided for the duration of the whitening.

Will Teeth Whitening harm my teeth?

Current research shows no changes to the tooth surface or tooth structure with the use of 10% bleaching gel. Our experienced and professional dentists will always assess your condition before beginning any treatment, so you can be sure that you are in good hands.

What can I do if my teeth are sensitive during Teeth Whitening?

Toothpaste containing Potassium Nitrate or a prescription level of Fluoride can help seal the microscopic tubules (dentin pores) to prevent nerve irritation and sensitivity. There are also professional products available that your dentist can apply to the affected area.

How long does Teeth Whitening last?

It’s important to have realistic expectations of before and after whitening. Generally, immediately after teeth whitening, the colour will fade very slightly. This may remain stable for approximately 2 years, sometimes longer. However, several factors such as your diet and habits (eg. smoking) can cause staining to occur again. We recommend patients to get touch-ups every 3-6 months to maintain your desired shade.

Over-the-counter Teeth Whitening Kits in Singapore

Why purchase Teeth Whitening Kits from the dentist instead? These teeth whitening kits sold in clinics produce faster and more effective results as they contain a stronger Peroxide-Bleaching agent. Trays and gels from the dentist are also custom-made to fit your teeth exactly. This is important as it protects your gums from the Tooth Whitening Gels.

Hence, we do not recommend over-the-counter kits even though they are cheaper, as they contain only a small concentration of the active ingredient. This significantly reduces the effectiveness of the product. Some also contain mild acids, while others are abrasive. Teeth whitening is a complicated treatment procedure. It should only be carried out by a dentist after a thorough examination and assessment of your teeth and gums. It is very important to follow the instructions issued by your dentist and to ensure that you attend any follow-up appointments recommended.