The reality is that professional home whitening is incredibly safe, provided it’s overseen by a dental expert. It’s designed to enhance your smile without compromising the health or strength of your teeth.

The science of a brighter smile

A common worry is that whitening works by stripping or thinning the surface of the teeth. In fact, the science is much gentler. Professional whitening gel contains an active ingredient that safely penetrates the enamel to reach discoloured molecules trapped deeper in the tooth.

The oxygen molecules from the whitening gel react with these stains, breaking the bonds that hold them together. This process changes the way light reflects off your teeth, making them appear whiter without altering the actual structure or strength of the enamel. Your teeth remain healthy and strong throughout the process.

Ensuring your smile is ready

Safety begins with a healthy foundation. Before starting any whitening treatment, it’s vital to have your teeth and gums checked. At Splash Orthodontics, we make sure your mouth is healthy and that you’re a suitable candidate before we provide your home whitening kit.

We look for things like:

• Existing dental work: Whitening gel does not change the colour of crowns, veneers or white fillings, so we plan your treatment to ensure an even result.
• Gum health: We ensure your gums are healthy to prevent any unnecessary irritation.
• Tooth condition: We check for any untreated decay to ensure the process is completely comfortable.

The law and your safety

In the UK, it’s illegal for anyone other than a registered dental professional – such as a dentist or a specialist orthodontist – to provide whitening treatments.

While you might see beauty salons or kiosks offering whitening, they don’t have the clinical background or qualifications to perform the treatment safely. It is also important to be wary of unregulated kits sold online – these can often contain acidic formulas or dangerously high concentrations of chemicals that could cause permanent damage to your enamel. By opting for professional whitening, you can relax knowing your treatment safe and performed to the highest clinical standards.

Achieving incredible results at home

A common misconception is that home whitening is less effective than laser or in-clinic treatments. However, professional home whitening can achieve the same brilliant results – it simply happens more gradually. By wearing your custom trays for a set amount of time each day, you have more control over the final shade and can manage any temporary sensitivity more easily.

Managing sensitivity

It’s normal to experience some short-lived sensitivity while whitening your teeth. This isn’t a sign of damage; it’s just a temporary reaction as the gel works.

One of the ways we minimise discomfort is through our custom-made whitening trays. Unlike generic kits, these are created from a precise scan of your teeth to ensure a perfect fit. This prevents the gel from leaking out onto your gums, which is often the cause of irritation in non-professional kits. As specialists, we’re here to support you throughout the process and out team are always on hand to offer advice.

The perfect finish for your smile

If you’re 18 or over, we include complimentary home whitening at the end of private orthodontic treatment. Once your braces are off or your last aligner is finished, we provide everything you need to safely add that final sparkle to your new smile.