13 Questions answered

How can hydrogen peroxide in off-the-shelf and professional teeth whitening products damage the teeth?

Hydrogen peroxide administered at the appropriate concentration by a properly qualified and trained dental professional does not damage the teeth. Some hydrogen peroxide will diffuse into the pulp and cause transient irritation of the nerves [1]. This may cause sensitivity. However, it can go away once the bleaching process is stopped. Over the counter (OTC) dental bleaching products are only allowed to contain up to 0. 1% hydrogen peroxide. On the other hand, prescription dental bleaching products can contain up to 6% hydrogen peroxide.

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Answered By

Dr Jaclyn Toh

Dentist

How to pick the best teeth whitening system when comparing between different treatments like Zenyum White, Philips Zoom, and Innowhite??

Picking "the best" teeth whitening system depends on what do you mean by "best". For some, this means either the cheapest, or the fastest, or reduced need for repeat treatments etc. Ask your dentist about which brand they stock in their office and why. Ask for photos of the patients they have treated. Your dentist will also advise on whether chairside or take home whitening will be more suitable.

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Answered By

Dr Jaclyn Toh

Dentist

What is the difference between teeth whitening at dental clinics versus aesthetic spas as the latter tends to be much cheaper?

Dental professionals and dental clinics are the only entities licensed to perform teeth whitening by the Ministry of Health in Singapore. It is illegal for non dental professionals to dispense whitening gels and perform whitening treatments. I have written an extensive answer on why having a non dentally trained person perform your teeth whitening is not a good idea.

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Answered By

Dr Jaclyn Toh

Dentist

What should I avoid eating or drinking after my teeth whitening treatment?

In general, you should avoid eating or drinking anything that would stain a white shirt for 24-48 hours after a professional teeth whitening procedure is performed for you by your dentist. Examples of things to avoid include but are not limited to: 1. Smoking 2. Dark Coffees and Teas 3. Dark Sauces 4. Red Wine 5. Beetroot 6. Curries Do note that it is best that you get your teeth whitened by a licensed dentist in a registered dental clinic, rather than by a beautician, beauty therapist or beauty technician done in a spa or beauty parlour.

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Answered By

Dr Gerald Tan

Dentist

How long does teeth whitening last, and is it the same procedure each time to re-whiten it?

Thank you for your enquiry about how long teeth whitening lasts. In my practice, teeth whitening is a procedure that is commonly sought after, and i get asked this question many times. In short, there is no real fixed answer to your question. To give you a rough idea, teeth whitening can last anywhere from one week to two years! And there are many factors that can affect the effectiveness of the whitening procedure. Currently there is a myriad of ways to whiten teeth, with products and procedures galore.

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Answered By

Dr Gerald Tan

Dentist

Can teeth whitening be performed at the same time as braces?

Hello, I normally recommend whitening AFTER the braces have been removed. If you are planning to get fixed braces, the braces will cover parts of your teeth and therefore the whitening product will not be able to work on those areas. Similarly, if you are undergoing Invisalign treatment, attachments (ie Bonding of 'bumps' to your teeth) will prevent the whitening agent from working around those areas. I feel that whitening treatment will be more successful once the braces are removed. I hope this helps. Good luck!

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Answered By

Dr Sylvia Tan

Orthodontist

How much improvement can I expect after teeth whitening for tea stains and coffee stains? (photo)

Surface tea and coffee stains are easily removed by simple scaling and polishing. In our clinic, we also use mild water-borne abrasion as it is very effective and can clean difficult to reach areas with no damage to the tooth enamel. Intrinsic or deeper yellow discolouration can be whitened with tooth whitening or bleaching procedures. In-clinic whitening and take-home kits are available and very good results that are safe for teeth can be achieved. You are recommended to consult your dentist for the most suitable method.

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Answered By

Dr Steven Soo

Prosthodontist

How effective are "self teeth whitening" treatments?

Dental treatment that is offered in beauty salons and spas ,by non-dentists, is a topic that comes up quite frequently for discussion in my practice. Beauticians, spa therapists and smile therapists who operate in salons and spas and even their own homes, have been known to offer a wide array of dental treatment, from photocatalyst teeth whitening ( which you have mentioned above), Radiofrequency teeth whitening, teeth whitening with organic chemicals that are "safer" than the peroxides used by dentists, smile makeovers using resin veneers and even dentures and braces!

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Answered By

Dr Gerald Tan

Dentist

How safe are self teeth-whitening treatments in Singapore?

The agent proven to be effective for teeth whitening is hydrogen peroxide. Only clinics are allowed to prescribe hydrogen peroxide at the concentration which can effectively whiten teeth in a short time. This is what the Ministry of Health (MOH) has to say about teeth whitening products available over the counter (taken from the MOH website): " Under the Health Products (Cosmetic Products-ASEAN Cosmetic Directive) Regulations 2007, as long as the concentration of hydrogen peroxide or other similar chemicals present in a finished oral hygiene product is less than or equal to 0.

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Answered By

Dr Asha Karunakaran

Dentist

What factors do I need to consider when going for LED teeth whitening treatment in Singapore?

LED or any form of teeth whitening that is not performed by a dentist practicing in a licensed dental clinic is not subjected ANY oversight and regulations by national health and safety authorities. You are essentially at the mercy of the manufacturer and the service provider and any claims that they make about their products and services.

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Answered By

Dr Jaclyn Toh

Dentist

What are effective teeth whitening options for a smoker?

Hi Heydy, The shape, size, positioning and colour of your teeth are affected by your genes. External stains (such as those from coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco and other dietary items) can be polished off but these will return as long as your teeth are exposed to the staining agent. It is normal for permanent teeth to get more yellow as we age. This is independent of lifestyle and diet and is a natural part of the aging process. Quitting smoking has many overall health benefits apart from reducing staining of your teeth.

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Answered By

Dr Jaclyn Toh

Dentist

Am I suitable for teeth whitening if I have sensitive teeth?

Hi there! Most people are generally eligible to some forms of whitening. However, it is advisable for you to inform your practitioner about your teeth sensitivity prior whitening. Not that it will cause disastrous consequences, but it would make your teeth whitening procedure a little less unpleasant. Teeth sensitivity could be due to 1) Decay 2) Persistent gum inflammation 3) General teeth hypersensivity due to wear of enamel layer If teeth sensitive is really an issue prior whitening, I would get it addressed before the procedure.

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Answered By

Dr Kenneth Tan

Dentist

What are quick and effective options for teeth whitening in Singapore?

Firstly, congratulations and here’s wishing you a great wedding! Dr Lam has already done a wonderful job outlining the ins and outs of tooth whitening treatment and the rough duration of the various tooth whitening options. As she has rightly mentioned, it all boils down to the date of your wedding and also your schedule leading up to the wedding and/or bridal photoshoots.

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Answered By

Dr Shiming Huang

Dentist

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* This profile has been last updated on January 8, 2022.