Although there are DIY whitening kits available, many dentists do not recommend them. This is because they only contain a tiny amount of the whitening product that is needed for the treatment to be truly effective. Some home kits are highly acidic and can damage the enamel and burn the gums.

Tooth whitening is part of the practice of dentistry and dentistry should only be carried out by dental professionals who are registered with the General Dental Council (GDC). However, some people still choose to have their teeth whitened every year in High Streets and shopping centres, by staff with no formal dental training. In a recent BBC report, one lady spoke about her regrets after having her teeth whitened at a beauty salon.

She said: “My teeth lost their shine, they were almost opaque. My gums went white, and my teeth were so sensitive after the treatment that even just the fresh air hurt them.”

If you are considering whitening your teeth, please make an appointment to see us at Cambray Dental in Cheltenham. After an assessment we will be able to tell you whether whitening is suitable for your teeth and what results you can expect. For example, crowns, veneers and denture teeth won’t whiten. If whitening treatment is right for you we will co-ordinate professional tooth whitening. A range of different treatments are available for this and we will explain fully what’s involved.