Fifty shades of white

Nowadays, it’s not just Hollywood actors and actresses that have A-list smiles. Increasingly, many of us are turning to cosmetic dental procedures such as teeth whitening

Very few people have brilliant white teeth, and they gradually become darker as we get older. They can also be stained on the surface by food and drink such as tea, coffee, red wine and blackcurrant. Smoking is a major cause of teeth staining and even some antibiotics can discolour them.

If you are thinking of having your teeth whitened, be aware that since 31 October 2012 it has been illegal for anyone other than a dental professional to carry out this procedure, which is why a new website www.safetoothwhitening.org has been launched to protect the public from illegal and harmful tooth whitening carried out by non-dental professionals. Your dentist is the best person to whiten teeth, particularly as it is vital that your teeth are in sufficiently good condition before anything is done to avoid the risk of damage.

Tooth whitening can be a very effective way of lightening the natural colour of your teeth without removing any of the tooth surfaces. It cannot make a complete colour change, but will lighten the existing shade (how much will vary from person to person). It only works on natural teeth, not on any type of false teeth, crowns or veneers. Effects of whitening can last up to three years; however, again, this will vary from person to person, and it is recommended that you repeat one night of the treatment every six months to maintain the improved shade of white.

The Peterborough Dentist Group provides a ‘dentist-supervised home whitening’ treatment. Dental impressions are taken to create trays that tailor-fit into your mouth like gum-shields. The whitening gel is then put into the trays and you are given a routine to follow at home. As we head into spring, the Peterborough Dentist Group are is making a special offer to readers of The Moment magazine by taking £50.00* off the cost of all dentist-supervised home whitening treatments during April 2015. Quote offer reference PD04TW when you telephone to make an appointment.

This offer is only available at: ■ Bushfield Dental Practice Ortongate 01733 370331 ■ Herlington Dental Practice Orton Malborne 01733 234566.

*terms and conditions apply

www.peterboroughdentist.co.uk