Teeth Whitening in Cheltenham: Best Options & Professional Care

by Dr Gareth Lewell (dentist) | Mar 21, 2025 | Cosmetic Dentistry, Teeth Whitening

teeth whitening in cheltenham best options and professional care

Maybe you’re looking at photos from this past weekend and noticing that your teeth aren’t nearly as white as your best friend’s.

They just aren’t as bright as they could be. Stains can feel impossible to avoid, too, since everything from tea to a glass of wine at dinner can cause them.

And you can’t eliminate them with your usual toothpaste and floss. Enter teeth whitening! But how do you make sense of all the options?

Here’s your guide on how to get your whitest and brightest smiles.

Types of Whitening

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure to achieve teeth that are six to ten shades whiter than your natural ones.

Two major categories of tooth whitening products are over-the-counter products used at home and dentist-managed products applied in a dental office or prepared in a dental office and used at home. Let’s begin with over-the-counter treatments.

Over-the-counter Treatments

Whitening toothpaste. These are the simplest but also the least helpful whitening tools.

According to the world-famous Mayo Clinic, they only remove surface stains, using abrasives that polish the teeth and chemicals that dissolve or break down stains.

They do not include bleaching agents, which is what more successful whitening approaches use.

Whitening pens/gels. Whitening pens and gels can have some effect on stains, but they come with disadvantages. First, they are not as effective as other whitening approaches.

But, more importantly, they can lead to irritation and burns if not used carefully. Many people notice a peculiar taste with gels and whitening pens.

The low concentrations of bleach also mean that these products work slowly.

Whitening strips. You peel off the back of a strip, revealing the bleaching element beneath, and then stick these strips to your teeth.

These require a large time commitment, and eating is impossible while they are in place, while speaking is difficult.

They are also a one-size-fits-all approach, and as everyone’s teeth are different sizes and slightly differently shaped, the non-adjustable shape of the strip can lead to areas that are not treated.

These strips are also short and typically only go on the front teeth, creating an unattractive shift in colour between the front and back teeth.

These over-the-counter treatments are more difficult, dangerous, and less effective than procedures supervised by your Cheltenham dentist.

Take-Home Whitening

Take-home whitening combines the efficiency and safety of in-office whitening with the convenience of home whitening.

We create a mould of your teeth and then manufacture customised trays that precisely fit them. For your safety, the trays are trimmed at the gum line to protect your gums from the bleaching agent.

You take the trays and whitening gel home and apply them for about 15 minutes daily for about 10 days. These numbers may change depending on how badly your teeth are stained and your lifestyle.

Your teeth may lighten between 6 and 10 shades due to your treatment. With take-home whitening, you must not consume any food or drink containing strong colours (e.g. red wine, colas, coffee, and tea). Smoking is also forbidden.

Regardless of your chosen approach, receiving your whitening ensures optimal results, safety, and convenience. If you want whiter, brighter teeth, call us today to schedule your teeth whitening consultation!

cental care at home

Dental Care at Home

Daily Brushing and Flossing

To prevent harming your gums, brush your teeth for two minutes with a soft toothbrush. An electric toothbrush with sonic waves is another option for cleaning teeth. Be sure to floss daily.

Use Regular, Fluoride-Enhanced Toothpaste

So-called whitening toothpaste does not remove discolouration but contains polishing agents that are corrosive to tooth enamel. Fluoride mouthwashes can help keep the teeth clean.

Fluoride fastens tooth enamel to increase the durability and smoothness of teeth. This makes it easier to eliminate plaque, calculus, and tooth decay.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Teeth cleaning can keep your teeth free of plaque and calculus, which can cause discolouration and staining.

Avoid Foods That Stain Your Teeth

Teeth are vulnerable to harsh chemicals and can absorb those substances when they come into contact with them.

Quit Smoking Or Using Other Tobacco Products

The tar in tobacco sticks to the surfaces of the teeth. It directly stains the enamel, makes it more difficult to clean teeth, and aids plaque build-up and calculus formation.

These practices can help you get your whitest and brightest natural smile.