Want that celebrity smile? Want to boost your confidence? We’ve all been there. There are many whitening products and options available, from services at the dentist’s office to at-home treatments. Still, it can be hard to know where to start. Luckily, whitening your teeth is straightforward with the experts at Mosman Fine Dental!
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth become stained or discoloured from everyday activities, like drinking and eating, which is a natural process. Food and drinks such as coffee, tea and red wine are some of the most common causes of staining. They can also be due to tobacco, medications, or genetics.
Teeth whitening, as the name implies, is the process of lightening the colour of your teeth. Teeth whitening can be done at home or performed by a dental professional. Still, it is recommended that you seek a dental professional for the best results.Teeth whitening works by treating the teeth with hydrogen peroxide or carbamide products. These are the main ingredients used in tooth-whitening products in Australia. The product’s strength depends on whether the treatment is completed by a dental professional or at home. Dentists and other professionals can use higher-strength products.
What Do I Need to Know Before Getting Teeth Whitening Treatment?
There are many teeth whitening treatments, and you should talk to your dentist about them before starting.
1. Whitening Doesn’t Work on All Teeth
Unfortunately, whitening does not work on all teeth, so you should consult your dentist before whitening your teeth. Whitening treatments may not correct all types of tooth discolouration. If your teeth are yellow in colour, they may react well to bleach, but if your teeth are brown or grey, you may not experience any effect from the bleach at all. Whitening may also not be effective on teeth discoloured by medication or injury.
Tooth whitening treatment does not work on caps, veneers, crowns, or fillings, as they are a different material than the enamel found on your natural teeth.
2. Decide Which Whitening Treatment is Right for You
Consult your dentist to find out which dental whitening procedure or treatment is right for you depending on the health of your teeth and gums. There are several different types of teeth whitening treatments available to you:
- In-chair or in-office teeth whitening treatments are performed by dentists or dental professionals. These treatments use a strong hydrogen peroxide gel and often a light placed over the teeth. With this treatment, you get immediate results. Your dentist may also send you home with a take-home kit to maintain white teeth at home.
- Power bleaching, also known as laser whitening, is another in-office treatment. The dentist will cover your gums and paint a bleaching agent on your teeth. Laser light is then shone on the teeth to activate the whitening. This one-and-done treatment takes about an hour in the dental office.
- Take-home teeth whitening treatments are completed at home under the supervision of your dentist. The dentist will customise teeth whitening trays that fit over the surface of your teeth. The tooth whitening gel is placed in these trays and worn for a certain amount of time. Your dentist will advise you on how much gel to use, how long to let the trays sit with gel in your mouth, and how often to use the trays. This method takes longer than the in-office treatment but can yield the same or similar results.
Contact the whitening experts at Mosman Fine Dental to schedule a visit or consultation for teeth whitening!
3. Be Aware of Tooth Sensitivity
A common side effect of teeth whitening procedures is sensitive gums and teeth. If you already experience tooth sensitivity, invest in toothpaste formulated explicitly for sensitive teeth to help prepare your mouth for the whitening procedure. This kind of toothpaste contains strontium chloride and potassium nitrate that help block pain signals from the tooth to the nerve. Your dentist may also recommend using this toothpaste after any tooth whitening treatments.
4. Teeth Whitening is Safe
Teeth whitening products use a peroxide-based system, and professionally applied treatments contain more substantial percentages of hydrogen peroxide. These types of peroxide compounds are regularly used in various dental treatments and have been for years. There is strong scientific evidence that the compounds and treatment are very safe.
5. Results May Vary
There are a lot of factors that impact teeth whitening and the results you may see from a treatment. Some people have healthier teeth and tooth enamel and don’t experience as much staining or may experience a whiter white from their whitening treatments. Others may have built-up stains that take longer to remove or teeth that are naturally more yellow in colour. Your dentist will be able to recommend the best tooth whitening option for you based on your desired results and your teeth.
Schedule your Appointment!
Before trying any whitening at home, be careful, and do your research. Be aware of internet fads and gimmicks; these can often do more harm than good to your teeth. The solution to these potential risks is to first see your dentist. The experts at Mosman Fine Dental are here to help answer any questions about teeth whitening and what to expect. Please visit our website to schedule a visit or receive a quote for teeth whitening!
