Like hair and skin, teeth vary in colour. Some are yellower or darker than others, even when they are quite healthy. Teeth
tend to get darker as people get older.
Teeth sometimes become darker if their roots have been damaged or diseased and the 'nerve' has 'died'.
Tooth colour can be very effectively lightened with Hydrogen Peroxide (bleach), used on either the outside or the inside of the
tooth.
Tooth bleaching is completely safe as long as the bleach does not touch your gums and burn them.
Where the 'nerve' of a tooth has 'died' (through damage or disease) and the tooth's root has been filled, bleach is put inside the tooth,
under a temporary dressing. The bleaching agent remains in the tooth for about a week before being cleaned out so that a white
filling can be placed.
Home bleaching works like this:
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Last updated: 28 November 2023