Hi, my name is George Bayley. I’m a co-owner and founder of SMOOCH Dental Spa alongside Lisa Meredith.

I’m not a dentist or dental professional, but I’ve always believed looking after your teeth and gums is important. I visit the dentist regularly, but until recently I had never really considered teeth whitening. I wasn’t particularly bothered by the colour of my teeth and, in my mind, they were perfectly good as they were.

Then my daughter Hannah had her teeth whitened by Lisa. I loved the result and thought her smile looked fantastic. That planted the first little seed that perhaps I should give whitening a go myself.

Then along came a Philips ZOOM! Whitening training day for clinicians in Christchurch. They needed someone who had never had professional whitening before and, somehow, I became the willing — although slightly nervous — guinea pig.

I have sensitive teeth, so sensitivity was one of my main concerns. Before the whitening appointment, Lisa assessed my teeth and gums and I had a professional hygiene appointment. We also discussed ways of managing my sensitivity before and after treatment.

The whitening appointment

At the training day, the clinician talked me through the procedure and gave me plenty of opportunity to ask questions before we started.

My lips and gums were protected before the whitening product was applied to my teeth. The Philips ZOOM! WhiteSpeed light was then positioned and the whitening treatment was carried out in several stages.

During the treatment I experienced a couple of brief “zingers” of sensitivity in my lower teeth. I let the clinician know and they applied a desensitising product before continuing. After that, I didn't experience any further sensitivity during the appointment.

When the treatment was finished, I was genuinely surprised by the change in the appearance of my teeth. For me, having brighter-looking teeth made me feel more confident about my smile.

That was my individual experience, though. Whitening results and sensitivity vary from person to person.

What happened afterwards?

I was advised that some temporary sensitivity can occur following teeth whitening and was given advice on how to manage this.

In my case, I experienced a couple of short-lived sensitive sensations about an hour after treatment and then carried on with life as normal. Again, everyone's experience is different.

What did I learn?

The biggest thing I took away from the experience was the value of having my teeth assessed beforehand and being able to discuss my concerns with a dental professional.

Professional teeth whitening isn't simply about choosing how white you'd like your teeth to be. Your teeth and gums should be assessed first so that your dental professional can determine whether whitening is appropriate for you and discuss the options, possible sensitivity and expected results.

If you're considering teeth whitening, you can read more about the options available at SMOOCH on our Teeth Whitening page or talk to our team about whether whitening may be suitable for you.

— George

Research continues to explore the relationship between oral health and general health and wellbeing.

In this episode of the Huberman Lab podcast, Andrew Huberman discusses a range of topics relating to oral health, including the oral microbiome, tooth decay, gum health, saliva, fluoride and daily oral-care habits.

It’s an interesting discussion and a reminder that looking after our teeth and gums is an important part of looking after our health.

What matters for your oral health?

The fundamentals remain refreshingly simple:

• Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.

• Clean between your teeth regularly using floss or interdental brushes appropriate for you.

• Limit how frequently your teeth are exposed to sugary foods and drinks.

• Maintain regular dental and dental hygiene care based on your individual oral-health needs and risk factors.

• If you’re unsure which toothpaste, mouthwash or other oral-care products are appropriate for you, ask your dental professional.

At SMOOCH Dental Spa, we enjoy keeping up with developments in oral-health research and sharing conversations that may be of interest to our patients.

Research into the relationship between oral health and general health continues to evolve. An association between oral health and a particular health condition does not necessarily mean that one causes the other.

If you’re interested in the science behind oral health, you may enjoy listening to the full discussion above.

Teeth whitening is one of the cosmetic dental treatments I’m most frequently asked about.

With so many whitening products and options available, it can be difficult to know where to start. The right approach will depend on your teeth, your oral health, your whitening goals and your individual circumstances.

How does teeth whitening work?

Professional teeth whitening uses whitening agents to lighten the appearance of natural tooth structure.

Whitening results vary between individuals and can be influenced by factors including the original shade of your teeth, the type of staining present and the whitening method used.

It’s also important to remember that existing restorations such as fillings, crowns and veneers do not whiten in the same way as natural teeth.

What are the different whitening options?

At SMOOCH Dental Spa, we offer both in-chair and take-home whitening options.

In-chair whitening is carried out in the clinic using a professional whitening system. Your teeth and gums are assessed beforehand and appropriate measures are taken to protect the surrounding soft tissues during treatment.

Take-home whitening uses custom-made trays and whitening product prescribed for you, with instructions on how and when to use it at home.

The most appropriate option isn't simply about which one is “best”. We consider your oral health, individual goals, lifestyle and preferences before recommending an approach.

Is teeth whitening safe?

Before recommending professional teeth whitening, we assess your teeth and gums to determine whether whitening is appropriate for you.

Like any dental treatment, whitening has potential side effects. Some people experience temporary tooth sensitivity or mild gum irritation during or after whitening. These effects are generally short-lived, but individual experiences vary.

We’ll discuss what you can expect and ways of managing sensitivity before you begin.

Will teeth whitening hurt?

Everyone experiences whitening differently.

Some people experience little or no sensitivity, while others may notice temporary sensitivity during or following treatment. If you already have sensitive teeth, let us know so we can take this into consideration when discussing your whitening options.

How long will my results last?

Whitening isn't permanent.

How long your teeth remain lighter can vary depending on factors such as diet, oral-hygiene habits and exposure to staining foods and drinks. Your dental professional can discuss appropriate maintenance options with you.

Thinking about whitening your teeth?

The best place to start is with an assessment.

We can check your teeth and gums, discuss what you'd like to achieve and explain the whitening options that may be appropriate for you.

Individual whitening results and experiences vary.

If you're interested in professional teeth whitening, you can find out more on our Teeth Whitening page or contact the SMOOCH team to arrange a consultation.

— Lisa Meredith
Clinical Director & Lead Hygienist, SMOOCH Dental Spa