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Teeth whitening – what you need to know

March 14th, 2024

Teeth whitening – it’s been around A LONG time.

And when you read this, you might be thinking a couple of hundred years.

Try a few thousand!

–       Ancient Egyptians tried whitening their teeth using a paste mixed from ground pumice stone, white vinegar and ground oxen hooves

–       The Romans used urine, and the ammonia within it for the same job

–       In the 17th century, it was nitric acid’s turn – you’d go to the barber who’d also attempt to whiten your teeth

–       And in the 19th century, people turned to chlorine.

It goes without saying that we wouldn’t be recommending any of those techniques!

These days peroxide is the whitening agent used by dentists, and it has a long pedigree – dentists first started using it in 1960s as an antiseptic that helped treat gum problems, and they found that when it came into contact with teeth, it made them whiter.

And while peroxide needs to be used carefully (and by a professional), it remains the number one way to safely whiten your teeth, which is why my eyebrows were raised by an alternative being sold on social media, and advertised on My London recently.

This particular solution is apparently “dentist-approved”, costs £25, and makes teeth ‘8 times brighter’.

The line that piqued my interest?  “Dentist-approved”.  Whenever I see this, I’m intrigued to see who the dentist is, and if I know them.

So I went digging, asking the company who has approved the product, and what ingredients are in it.

More than a week later, I’m still waiting, which makes me rather doubtful about that dentist they claim has approved it.

And just as worryingly, I’ve discovered that the main ingredient in the product is a type of acid, which could potentially be harmful and lead to permanent damage of the teeth.

As a consumer, it’s really hard to decide on what products to use and also when there are plenty of positive reviews online, they can look very believable.

But there’s a good reason why , legally, teeth whitening should only be carried out by a dental professional – the stakes are too high to get it wrong. 

If you’re interested in teeth whitening, there’s every chance we can help you, so please chat to us before investing in a ‘dentist approved’, off-the-shelf solution, which could cause bigger problems down the line.

Ketan


Smile of the Month

February 29th, 2024

This month’s Smile of the Month is dear to my heart, as it focuses on a patient we’ve been serving for almost her whole life. While Samara’s oral health was excellent, she’d grown increasingly unhappy with her smile, with crooked front teeth being the biggest cause of that unhappiness. Samara came to see me to […]

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My take on the NHS stories

February 21st, 2024

If you’ve been reading the news over the last few weeks, chances are you may have bumped into a story or two about NHS dentistry.  A couple of patients have mentioned the subject, so I figured it was sensible to drop something out about it. Essentially, if you haven’t seen it, an “NHS Dental Recovery […]

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Yes, we do accept referrals…

February 14th, 2024

A patient came to see me the other day. And it’s fair to say it’s been a while since he went to the dentist. Not because he’s scared or nervous, but – like so many of us – life had just got in the way. He’d been busy with work, he’d started a young family, […]

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Smile of the Month – February

January 31st, 2024

It’s a brand new month, and to kick February off we’ve got an absolutely fantastic Smile of the Month to share with you. Our lovely patient Nerina first visited Dr Ronit Patel as an emergency new patient. She had a wobbly bridge on her upper front teeth, which was visible when she smiled, which made […]

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Marching on

January 31st, 2024

Time is marching on – I can’t quite believe we’re nearly in February. It does feel like an awful lot has happened already this year though – it’s been a busy 2024 so far at Brightside, so I thought I’d share a few of the things we’ve been getting up to.First up, we must congratulate […]

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The complete guide to choosing the right toothpaste

January 25th, 2024

It’s become a bit of a minefield in choosing the best toothpaste for your needs as there are so many different types in the shops. There are four types that you’re likely to come across: cavity fighters, gum guardians, sensitivity soothers, and smile brighteners. We’ll uncover what makes them tick and how they can help […]

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Should you use an electric toothbrush?

January 17th, 2024

Oral hygiene is an essential aspect of maintaining good health. While many people may understand the importance of brushing and flossing, the type of tools you use can significantly impact your overall dental health. The Importance of Brushing: Brushing your teeth is a fundamental step in maintaining oral health. It serves several crucial purposes: Plaque Removal: Plaque, […]

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A long, long time ago

December 14th, 2023

12 years ago, we were settling in for the festive season having celebrated Kate and William’s wedding, seen New Zealand finally win the Rugby World Cup, and witnessed the birth of the game Minecraft. Feels like an awfully long time ago, doesn’t it? 12 years is a long stretch by anyone’s standards, and that’s why Caroline, our […]

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Yes, we do accept referrals!

December 7th, 2023

I was speaking to one of our long-term patients the other day – she’s been coming to see us for years. But I was somewhat shocked by the direction the conversation took. Turns out she wasn’t aware that we accept new patients, so her partner – who had wanted to become a patient at our […]

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