Teeth whitening FAQs

How much does it cost to get my teeth professionally whitened?

Professional teeth whitening tends to cost between €95 and €400. On average it costs €100–€250.

Most dental practices in Ireland charge between €100 and €250. Costs vary based on the type of treatment you want. The treatment is cheaper if you supply your own home whitening kit. Here are some sample prices to give you a sense of costs:

Large chain of clinics throughout Ireland: €250
Clinic in Dublin: €295 if you supply kit, €355 if clinic supplies kit
Clinic in Dublin: €95–€220
Clinic in Cork: €180–€220
Clinic in Tralee: €175
Clinic in Cavan: €170–€350

References:

https://www.whatclinic.ie/dentists/ireland/teeth-whitening

https://www.seapointclinic.ie/about/fees

https://www.dentalcareireland.ie/practices/dentist-castlebar/general-dental-treatments-prices/

Is teeth whitening safe?

Yes, if you follow the instructions and apply the product safely.

The risks are:

wearing down the enamel on your teeth because the product you’re using is abrasive and you use it too frequently.
exposing your teeth and gums to too much hydrogen peroxide, which can cause damage, blistering and pain.

Avoiding the above is very simple. Follow the instructions that come with your product. If you have e chosen to apply activated charcoal powder, don’t overuse it. We recommend using it for a maximum of three to five days in a row, every three to four months. Don’t use it regularly.

Buy products from reputable brands to avoid exposing yourself to too much hydrogen peroxide. If you buy online, buy from trusted pharmacists. It is illegal to sell teeth whitening products that have more than 0.1% of hydrogen peroxide in them, but some online sellers may not comply with these regulations.

Does charcoal whiten teeth?

Not according to clinical research, but anecdotes say yes.

There is no clinical evidence to prove activated charcoal helps whiten teeth. Some dentists say that it can actually harm teeth because it is abrasive and can wear away enamel.

Does coconut oil whiten teeth?

Using coconut oil to improve oral health is known as oil pulling. The idea is that swishing a tablespoon of melted coconut oil around your mouth for 20 minutes a day cleans your mouth and whitens your teeth.

Although there are few reported side effects to oil pulling, according to the American Dental Association (ADA) “there are no reliable scientific studies to show that oil pulling reduces cavities, whitens teeth or improves oral health and well-being”.

Does sesame oil whiten teeth?

Just like coconut oil, some people believe sesame oil can be used for oil pulling too. While there are few reported side effects from using sesame oil to clean the mouth, there is also no strong scientific evidence that it works to whiten teeth.

How can I whiten my teeth at home in one day?

The quickest way to whiten teeth at home is to use baking soda. When mixed with water, it creates a mild abrasive that helps to remove stains on the surface of the teeth.

You could also try teeth whitening strips. These can take two weeks to show the best results, but you may see a noticeable difference after just one use.

Does bicarbonate of soda whiten teeth?

Yes, when mixed with water bicarbonate of soda (also known as baking soda) creates a paste with a slightly rough texture. It’s the abrasiveness of this paste that can help to remove stains from the surface of the teeth.

You shouldn’t whiten your teeth with bicarbonate of soda more than once a week, as too frequent use can damage your teeth’s enamel.

And you shouldn’t use bicarbonate of soda if you have:

braces that contain orthodontic glue
implants
permanent dental fixtures or fittings

This is because bicarbonate of soda may actually weaken dental glue.

Bicarbonate of soda will only remove stains on the surface of the teeth—any deeper stains would need to be removed professionally.

How fast does baking soda whiten teeth?

Baking soda can remove stains on the surface of the teeth after one use. Brush your teeth with baking soda mixed with water for two minutes and your teeth should appear whiter, provided any stains are on your teeth’s enamel and not any deeper.

Can I eat after whitening my teeth?

Yes, you can eat immediately after having your teeth whitened. However, you’ll need to avoid certain food and drink for at least 48 hours as they may stain your newly whitened teeth or be so acidic that they cause sensitivity.

Food and drink that are most likely to cause stains or sensitivity are:

Drinks	Food
Coloured soft drinks (such as cola)	Acidic foods such as red meat and pickles
Tea	Acidic fruit such as citrus
Coloured alcoholic drinks (e.g. alcopops, Guinness and beer)	Coloured vegetables such as peas, broccoli, beetroot, carrots, tomatoes, sweetcorn and leafy greens
Red wine	Curries, which often contain staining spices such as turmeric and paprika
Hot chocolate	Dark chocolate (including chocolate cake)
Coffee	Dark fruit such as blueberries and cranberries
Fruit juice	Dark marinades, condiments and sauces such as soy, tamari, tomato, balsamic vinegar, mustard, BBQ sauce and ketchup
	Sweets

Your teeth may be more sensitive after having whitening treatment, so you may want to avoid cold drinks and foods such as ice-cream and frozen yoghurt for a day or two.

To prevent your teeth from staining, the classic advice is to avoid any food or drink that would stain white clothing.

Can I whiten crowns on my teeth?

No, whitening techniques do not work on crowns. The good news is that most white crowns are made from porcelain, a substance that is highly resistant to staining. This means porcelain crowns should maintain their colour long-term.

Can I whiten my teeth while pregnant?

Professional teeth whitening is not recommended if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. This is because it’s not known whether the chemicals used in teeth whitening could affect an unborn baby or breastfed child.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding and want whiter teeth, you can use whitening toothpaste to remove stains on the surface of your teeth. You could also book a scale and polish with your dentist which, while not designed to remove stains, can help improve your teeth’s overall appearance.

Can I whiten my teeth if I wear braces?

Technically, you can, although it’s best to wait until after you’ve had your braces removed. Brace brackets are glued onto the teeth, so whitening treatments won’t reach those areas of the teeth that the brackets are covering. This means you would be left with uneven colouring or dark spots on your teeth when the braces are removed.

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