Teeth whitening can be the “icing on the cake” that your smile needs. It’s an increasingly popular treatment, much sought after by patients of all ages, both men and women, looking to give their smile that final touch.

Although it’s a fairly simple and painless treatment, always seek advice from your dentist before going ahead with teeth whitening. There are some precautions you should take into account and, first and foremost, your smile should be observed by a specialist. Here are a few reasons why:

• If you have tooth decay, this should be treated before whitening to avoid pain, among other things.
• If there is tooth sensitivity, your dentist should recommend the most suitable method, also to avoid pain.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, whitening may have to be postponed – just in case, as there are no known contraindications.

With a brief search on the internet, you’re sure to find many homemade recipes for whitening teeth, some more valid than others. However, we emphasise that safety is fundamental even in the simplest and quickest treatments, which is why we strongly recommend that this treatment always be carried out under the supervision of a dentist or hygienist.

At the Hugo Madeira Clinic, we perform two different tooth whitening techniques: one lasting 2 hours, carried out in the dental office; the other lasting approximately 15 days, carried out at home. In both, we apply a whitening gel that acts on the enamel pigment on the surface of the tooth (“teeth whitening” does not alter the structure or shape of the tooth). Both techniques have satisfactory and long-lasting results and can be applied individually or together, but combined techniques are more effective. It should be emphasised that the results of teeth whitening depend on the patient’s habits, lasting longer if a daily oral hygiene routine is maintained and if elements such as coffee, tea, red wine, sauces or tobacco are avoided.

Is it time to whiten your smile? Book an appointment at the Hugo Madeira Clinic. We look forward to seeing you.

Rita Alves, Cédula 44464088