• About
  • Contact
  • Contact Us

Follow my adventures at @cheryltaysg!

  • Home
  • Cars
  • Motorsports
  • Sports
  • Fitness
  • Lifestyle
  • Photography
  • About
  • Contact

5 misconceptions of teeth whitening

0 Comment
 30 Jul 2015   Posted by Cheryl Tay

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
Loading ... Loading ...


For a long time, I considered doing teeth bleaching but I hesitated because my friends kept telling me all these horror stories about how painful it is and how the teeth will become really sensitive after. Not forgetting that it’s also expensive!

I did teeth whitening at an aesthetics clinic back in 2005 (forgot the name of the clinic) and another teeth whitening session at Lush Aesthetics in April. While my teeth did improve over the years, I still felt insecure about my teeth. I don’t drink coffee, I don’t drink wine, I don’t take soft drinks, neither do I eat curry so there is no reason for my teeth to be too yellow.

Finally, I went to Orchard Scotts Dental to see Dr Ronnie Yap who explained the teeth whitening procedure to me properly. Doing it at a dental clinic is not the same as doing it at an aesthetics clinic. Dentists have approval by the health authorities to use a higher percentage of carbamide peroxide, thus it is more effective (30% versus less than 1%). Also, you should do a checkup on your teeth with your dentist before you engage in any teeth whitening. This is to ensure that your teeth is suitable for the procedure, in case you have any decays.

IMG_0096

There are two kinds of teeth whitening procedures – one is in-office that is done in the clinic, the other is a take home kit. The in-office procedure requires a shorter time frame due to a higher concentration and hence results are more effective. The take home kit is something you can consider if you have a smaller budget. It’s usually over 10 days, where you apply whitening gel to a customised tray for your teeth and you wear it through the night. Alternatively, if budget permits, you can have both – complete the in-office procedure then use the take home kit to continue the whitening.

I went through both the in-clinic procedure by Dr Kelvin Chua at Orchard Scotts Dental, before continuing with the take home kit. I had a pre-treatment consultation, as well as a post-treatment appointment. They took very good care of me throughout and answered all questions I had.

IMG_0095

Here are 5 misconceptions of teeth whitening that I want to clarify:

1) Teeth whitening is very painful.

You may experience a little sensitivity during the in-clinic whitening process, but there is no pain at all. It varies with individuals and for me, I didn’t feel any sensitivity during the process. There’s a rubber seal that protects the gums from the gel during the process. For about 24 hours after the procedure, I felt very slight sensitivity but it is nowhere painful.

2) Teeth whitening causes permanent sensitivity.

After that initial 24 hours, I felt no more sensitivity. It’s been two months since I did it and I have felt no sensitivity at all.

3) Teeth whitening gives movie-star smiles.

Please manage your expectations and not expect to get sparkly white teeth that you see in movies, commercials and magazines. Teeth whitening can remove stains, but there is a limit to how white it can be. Everyone has their own natural teeth colour and it depends largely on your lifestyle too. For example, if you take a lot of coffee, your teeth will stain quicker.

4) Teeth whitening will damage teeth enamel.

There is a fear that whitening can damage the teeth or the enamel through decalcification, but decalcification is caused by exposure to acidity, not peroxide. During whitening, the gel releases oxygen that enters the teeth to break down stains stuck to the teeth.

5) Teeth whitening lasts forever.

Teeth whitening at a dentist is said to last for about six months to a year depending on how you maintain them. Your teeth will naturally stain again, but you can go back for regular touch-ups or use the take home kits to maintain.

Related Posts

  • Teeth Whitening at Lush AestheticsTeeth Whitening at Lush Aesthetics
  • Asia Pacific Breweries launches campaign to appreciate taxi driversAsia Pacific Breweries launches campaign to appreciate taxi drivers
  • Westin Hotels & Resorts unveiled next stage of Westin Well-Being MovementWestin Hotels & Resorts unveiled next stage of Westin Well-Being Movement
  • BlanX White Shock BlanX White Shock
  • American Express and HungryGoWhere present 30licious – $30 culinary treats for 30 daysAmerican Express and HungryGoWhere present 30licious – $30 culinary treats for 30 days
    Share This

Written by Cheryl Tay

  • Search Cheryl Tay’s posts

  • About Cheryl Tay

    563588_392090887491821_131620790205500_1178808_177312844_n_resized


    First establishing herself in the world of cars and motorsports, Cheryl Tay is a sports and fitness blogger who advocates living an active and healthy lifestyle. Founder of body image movement Rock The Naked Truth, Cheryl overcame over a decade of eating disorders and is now passionate about helping people with similar struggles. She also has a running club ROCKrunners and a tri-enthusiast club ROCKtri.

    Rock The Naked Truth encourages others to be comfortable in their own skin and to learn that there is more to life than just being a slave to the numbers on your scale. Truly, life has more meaning than just forcing yourself to look good - it's most important to be happy and feel good about yourself!

    Previously...
    > Fitness columnist for Yahoo! Sports
    > Founder of ELITE (fitness competition)
    > Motoring writer for TODAY
    > Columnist for Rev / Run magazines
    > Official photographer for ONE Championship
    > Media manager for Formula Drift Asia
    > PR manager for PETRONAS Syntium Team
    > Business development for Kartright Speedway
    > F1 youth speaker for Singapore GP
  • Recent Posts

    • #RTNTturns3
    • Ironman Malaysia 2018: I AM AN IRONMAN!
    • How I managed my plantar fasciitis
    • My Naked Truth.
    • Ironman 70.3 World Championship 2018, Nelson Mandela Bay
  • Archives

    • January 2019
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    • July 2018
    • June 2018
    • May 2018
    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • February 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017
    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • May 2017
    • March 2017
    • February 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
    • November 2016
    • October 2016
    • September 2016
    • August 2016
    • July 2016
    • June 2016
    • May 2016
    • April 2016
    • March 2016
    • February 2016
    • January 2016
    • December 2015
    • November 2015
    • October 2015
    • September 2015
    • August 2015
    • July 2015
    • June 2015
    • May 2015
    • April 2015
    • March 2015
    • February 2015
    • January 2015
    • December 2014
    • November 2014
    • October 2014
    • September 2014
    • August 2014
    • July 2014
    • June 2014
    • May 2014
    • April 2014
    • March 2014
    • February 2014
    • January 2014
    • December 2013
    • November 2013
    • October 2013
    • September 2013
    • August 2013
  • Load More...
    Follow on Instagram



Copyright © 2018 Cheryl Tay. All Rights Reserved.