Teeth whitening
Does teeth whitening damage your enamel? +
Not usually, provided your teeth and gums are checked first and the treatment is supervised by a dentist. The gel works on stain within the tooth rather than removing enamel. Some sensitivity to cold or sweet things and sore gums are common and normally pass in a few days. The real risks are overuse and homemade fixes: lemon, vinegar, charcoal powder and baking soda are acidic or gritty and can wear the surface. If your teeth already feel sensitive, a check for cavities should come before whitening.
How long does teeth whitening last? +
It varies from person to person, so nobody can honestly give you an exact figure. Often it holds for a year or two, sometimes longer, but it fades sooner if you drink several cups of tea or coffee a day, smoke, or chew tobacco and paan. When you start to notice the shade drifting back, a short top-up is usually possible. A professional clean now and then keeps surface stain from piling up.
Is scaling the same as whitening, and does scaling loosen teeth? +
No to both. Scaling removes plaque, tartar and surface stain, and it doesn't change the natural shade of the tooth or loosen healthy teeth. What people notice afterwards is small gaps and some sensitivity, because the tartar that was filling those spaces has gone, and that usually settles within days. If you want teeth lighter than their natural shade, that is whitening, generally done after a
scale and polish.
Will whitening work on all my stains? +
Not always. Whitening lightens the natural colour of the tooth, so it does well on yellowing from age, tea, coffee and food. Grey or brown discolouration from an old injury, certain medicines taken in childhood, or fluorosis may change only a little. Dr. Mahesh will look for the cause first. If whitening is unlikely to help, bonding or veneers may be the better route, and he will tell you that before you spend time on it.
Why are my teeth sensitive after whitening, and how long will it last? +
The gel can irritate the tooth for a short while, so cold air, ice cream and hot tea may sting. For most people this passes in a day or two. A toothpaste made for sensitive teeth and avoiding very cold drinks both help. If the pain is sharp, lasts beyond a few days, or you were sensitive before starting, see Dr. Mahesh, because a cavity, worn area or exposed root may need treating and whitening should pause.
Do whitening toothpastes, strips and charcoal powders work? +
They can lift a little surface stain, but they won't match a treatment supervised by a dentist. Whitening toothpastes mostly polish. Strips and pens vary a great deal in strength, and charcoal is abrasive, so it isn't a good daily habit. Products from unknown sources can also irritate gums. If you want a clear change, getting your teeth examined first is the safer route.
Can I have my teeth whitened while pregnant? +
It is usually best to wait. Elective cosmetic treatment such as whitening is generally put off until after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Check-ups, gum care and necessary treatment are different and are generally considered safe, so don't skip them. Mention the pregnancy when you book. Gums often become puffier at this time, which is worth having looked at, and a cosmetic plan can begin once your baby has arrived.
Veneers and bonding
Are veneers permanent, and are they bad for your teeth? +
Veneers can last a long time but not indefinitely, and porcelain ones usually need a thin layer of enamel removed that cannot be put back. That is the main downside, and it is why they should be a considered choice. Composite veneers generally need less removal. Any veneer can chip, wear or come loose, and decay or gum disease can still start around the edges. Dr. Mahesh will explain what your teeth would give up before you decide.
How long do veneers last? +
There is no fixed number; it depends on the material, your bite and your habits. Looked after well, veneers often serve for many years, but they may chip or need replacing sooner if you grind your teeth, bite hard objects or skip cleaning around them. Composite tends to stain and wear sooner than porcelain, though it is easier to repair. A clinic that quotes an exact lifespan is guessing.
What is the difference between veneers, laminates, crowns and bonding? +
Laminate is simply another word many people use for a veneer. A veneer covers only the front of a tooth. A
crown wraps the whole tooth and takes more of it away, so it is kept for teeth that are weak or badly damaged. Bonding builds resin straight onto the tooth, usually in one visit and with little removal, but it resists stain less well than porcelain.
Can veneers straighten my teeth, or should I get braces first? +
Veneers can disguise mild unevenness but cannot move teeth or correct a bite. If teeth are crowded, or the upper and lower don't meet properly, straightening first usually gives a healthier result and may mean much less cosmetic work afterwards. Using veneers to hide crooked teeth can mean shaving more enamel. Dr. Mahesh checks your bite before suggesting either; the options are described under
braces and clear aligners.
What if I don't like the shape or length of my veneers? +
Ask to see the shape, length and shade before anything is firmly fixed, because that is when changes are easy. Once a porcelain veneer is bonded it can't be thinned or reshaped by much, and often has to be redone. Raise every concern, even small ones like how your front teeth sit against your lip. Dr. Mahesh is happy for you to ask for changes at that stage.
Planning a makeover
What is a smile makeover and how does it work? +
A smile makeover is a planned set of treatments that together change how your smile looks, rather than a single procedure. Depending on your teeth it may include gum treatment, a clean, whitening, braces or aligners, bonding, veneers or crowns, done in a sensible order. It begins with an examination and a talk about what you want. Dr. Mahesh then explains the stages, what each achieves and roughly how many visits to expect.
I have an event in three weeks. What can realistically be done? +
A clean, whitening and small bonding repairs can usually fit into three weeks if your teeth and gums are healthy. Veneers, braces and aligners generally can't. Leave a buffer, because sensitivity may need a few days to settle and you won't want to be mid-treatment on the day.
Message us on WhatsApp with your date and a clear photo of your smile, and we can suggest what to book.
Cost, time and suitability
How much does teeth whitening or a smile makeover cost in Mumbai? +
It depends on what your teeth need, so we can't give a figure without seeing them. The cost is shaped by how many teeth are involved, which of whitening, bonding or veneers you need, the material used, any laboratory work, whether gum treatment or straightening must come first, and the number of visits. After an examination Dr. Mahesh explains the options and you decide. Call or message us to book that first visit.
Can anyone have veneers or bonding? +
Not everyone. Veneers are a poor fit for people who grind or clench heavily, have active gum disease or cavities, or have a deep bite that keeps stressing the front teeth. Those things are sorted out first. Teenagers whose teeth are still developing are generally not given veneers either. Dr. Mahesh checks your bite, gums and habits before suggesting anything, and will say so if the answer for you is no.
