Teeth whitening is probably one of the most sought-after cosmetic treatment in Australia. It is usually simple and cost-effective.
Here are some facts you may not know about teeth whitening.
What types of teeth whitening options are available?
There are may types of teeth whitening products.
-Whitening toothpaste,
-Professional in-chair whitening
-Professional take-home gels whitening kit
Which professional whitening option works the best?
The most recommended option is the take-home whitening kit. This is one of the most predictable and reliable whitening options available.
In the take home kit, you will get a box of bleaching gels (carbamide or low concentration hydrogen peroxide gels designed specifically for safe self-application), and a custom fitted bleaching tray to maximise the contact of the whitening gel. The trays are manufactured from an impression of your teeth and gums- taken by your dentist, to ensure the it fits the contours of your teeth and mouth perfectly, and all your teeth will receive consistent and even coverage of the whitening gel, to ensure optimal results.
We recommend using the bleaching gels and trays as per manufacturer’s instructions: usually a 15- to 30-minute session per day over the duration of 7-14 days will suffice. Although this method could take slightly longer time to achieve the best results, but ultimately it offers longer lasting and true whitening result compare to in-chair whitening session.
Take-home whitening causes less sensitivity as the process takes place over time, and most importantly, is extremely cost-effective. The bleaching trays can be re-used and bleaching gels purchased separately at any time.
- In-Chair Whitening
In-chair whitening involves a brief session at the dental office. Your dentist will start by applying a bleaching agent (highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide gel that could only be administered by a dental professional) to your teeth and accelerate the whitening process with the aid of an LED lamp. You will see an instant improvement of your teeth shade after a 45-minute session. But whitening result might not be very stable after all. It might be worth considering only if you have a special occasion in the next few days.
- Whitening Toothpaste
Most whitening toothpastes only remove surface stains from teeth instead of actually changing the color of enamel. The design and recommended use of whitening toothpastes just does not allow them to deliver the same dramatic whitening effects as professional take-home whitening kit or in-chair whitening session.
What do I need to be aware of before any teeth whitening treatment?
Existing fillings, veneers, crowns on the teeth will not change colour or shade after whitening treatment. Therefore, it is important to discuss about the whitening treatment prior to commencing any dental work on your front teeth, otherwise you could end up with a mismatch between the newly whitened teeth and any old fillings.
What do I need to do after my teeth whitening treatment?
Some people will experience temporary sensitivity to cold and hot after the treatment, which normally subside after a few hours, and no long-term problems have been reported. However, using sensitive toothpaste before and after whitening treatment is recommended, and restrain from soft drinks, citrus foods and beverages could help avoid this problem.
To discuss your suitability and make an appointment, please call our friendly team on 5282 5272 today.